Photo: Fulani Herdsmen Butcher Man In Enugu State
In view of the increasing attacks by herdsmen, the Progressive Governor’s Forum has endorsed cattle ranching against the proposed grazing reserve.
The aim, according to the forum, is to minimize the incessant conflicts between farmers and herdsmen across the country.
The decision was taken in Makurdi, Benue State capital, when an APC governors’ delegation paid a courtesy visit to the state governor.
The visiting governors condoled with Governor Ortom over the killings of farmers by armed herdsmen in the state.
Community and opinion leaders gathered to listen to the much need message of hope and ways of ending the armed herdsmen killings of Benue farmers in the villages.
The host governor, Mr Samuel Ortom, briefed the APC governors on the criminal activities of the herdsmen.
He lamented the inability of the security agencies to make a single arrest of the invaders.
The APC governors were moved by the agonizing stories of how human lives were being wasted in the state.
Chairman of the forum and Governor of Imo State, Mr Rochas Okorocha asked Nigerians to hold them responsible if the government fails to secure their lives.
He warned against the consequences of ignoring the herdsmen attacks on Benue communities.
The Governor of Niger State, Abubakar Bello, also added the forum’s voice to the campaign for the establishment of ranches instead of the proposed grazing reserve areas.
He said that ranches will minimize frictions between farmers and herdsmen.
Last week, the Ekiti State governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose had banned Fulani herdsmen from all activities in the state.
Governor Fayose announced a blanket ban on cattle grazing and rearing in the state and said those interested in the business should go and set up private cattle ranches.
Governor Fayose made that known when he visited Oke-Ako in Ikole local government area of the State.
Oke-Ako was invaded last Friday by Fulani herdsmen that killed two residents of the town and injured others.
He warned that government will henceforth confiscate any cattle seen anywhere in the State apart from ranch created for them by their owners.
He described the Fulani herdsmen that attacked Oke-Ako and other communities in the country as “agents of the devil that must be fished out and punished accordingly.”
The governor was quoted as saying: “We will not leave our lands for Fulani herdsmen and in a system where the leadership of the country looks the other way while our people are being killed.
“We will have no option than to defend ourselves by whatever means.”
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