In response to escalating security challenges, the Benue State Security Council has declared a 14-day ultimatum for individuals engaged in open grazing within the state to cease such activities immediately. Additionally, the Council has mandated all armed herdsmen operating in Benue State to vacate the area in their own interest.
The decision was reached during a meeting held in Makurdi and chaired by Governor Hyacinth Alia. The meeting was attended by key stakeholders, including heads of military and para-military formations, traditional and religious leaders, as well as top government officials who are members of the Council.
Governor Alia, in a statement read by the Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, highlighted that these resolutions were crucial steps aimed at restoring and maintaining peace in the state. The Council emphasized the continued enforcement of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of 2017, urging all residents to comply with its provisions.
The specific directives outlined by the Council include an immediate cessation of armed herders/invaders’ presence in Benue State and a warning to those who may have invited them to desist from such actions. Furthermore, individuals engaged in open grazing have been given a two-week ultimatum, effective from February 21, 2024, to cease the practice.
To ensure the enforcement of these measures, a seven-man committee has been established. The Council called upon security agencies, traditional rulers, and the general public to collaborate in identifying and prosecuting anyone found collaborating with or inviting armed herders into the state.
The Council appealed to the general public to remain calm and vigilant, assuring them that the State Government is diligently working to enhance the security of lives and property. Additionally, the Council acknowledged the prevailing hardships and potential food insecurity in the nation and urged the people of Benue State to remain patient, as efforts are underway to mitigate the situation.