By Amos Aar
THE Benue State Government has advanced reasons for the continued suspension of the operations of the state’s Livestock Guards despite the expiration of the two weeks earlier granted herders to exit Benue State to enable farmers carry out their farm activities.
The suspension of the outfit’s operation marked over three weeks since the 2-week break was given. National Record had reported on April 12, 2023 that the state government gave a 2-week break to the livestock guards to allow Fulani herdsmen exit from Benue to enable farmers plant their crops for this farming season.
Benue State Deputy Governor, Engr Benson Abounu, made the decision known to newsmen at Government House, Makurdi shortly after the State Security Council (SEC) meeting last Friday.
Engr Abounu who presided over the SEC meeting said the state was in a transition period and so other approaches like prevention of attacks will be adopted while herders continue to relocate out of the state.
“You must agree with me that we are in a transition period and because of this, we think that as a matter of just three weeks, any other decision for now may not be working. So, it has been decided that we take another approach, the approach is the prevention of attacks. Of course, the decision has been taken that since the law is in existence, that law has not been abrogated and therefore the cattle that have been there in Benue State for open grazing should go back to wherever they came from”, Abounu said.
Speaking on other security measures taken by SEC, the deputy governor encouraged community members to be watchful and mount security surveillance in their respective areas and report suspicious activities to relevant authorities.
He further informed that SEC called on the state government to make provision for satellite homes and internet-based communication radios and gadgets especially in communities where there is no mobile communication network to enhance quick transmission of information to the security operatives.
“We are saying this because of what has happened in recent times. The response by security operatives has always been reactionary rather than proactive. It’s only when attacks have taken place and the harm has been done, people have been killed, houses burnt, then after making reports, security operatives run to those places. That is medicine after death”, he lamented.
Engr Abounu charged all stakeholders especially the law enforcement agents to show sincerity in the implementation and enforcement of the Anti-Open Grazing Law which he said was still in place in Benue State.
