Benue State government, through its Livestock Guard, have impounded 230 cows found grazing openly in some parts beof the state.
The Commander of Benue State Livestock Guard, BSLG Mr. Linus Zaki, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the progress made by his men, on Thursday, in Makurdi.
Zaki also told journalists that they also arrested four herders for violating the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of the state. They have handed them over to the police for prosecution.
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Giving a breakdown, he explained that while patrolling with his men on the 13th of July, 2020, they impounded 50 cows at Tse-Iordye, and on the 14th, they impounded 80 at Tse-Daudu, all in Guma Local Government Area.
In the same vein, he said on the 22nd of July, his men on patrol also impounded 100 at Gbaji in Gwer West Local Government Area of the State bringing the number to 230.
Mr. Zaki further stated that the cows would remain under the watch of the Livestock Guard pending when the owners would come to pay the stipulated fines to reclaim them.
“The owners have been contacted and we are in touch with the Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders association of Nigeria in the state. After seven days, if the owners fail to come to reclaim them, the cows are supposed to be auctioned according to the law,” he said.
