Herdsmen agree to abide by provisions of Benue open grazing prohibition law

- An agreement has been reached between the herdsmen operating in Benue and Nasarawa and the states' government

- The herdsmen after a stakeholders meeting agreed to abide by the provision of the controversial Benue open grazing prohibition law

- They also asked for more time to enable them adapt to the new policy

Herdsmen in Benue state have agreed to abide by the provision of the controversial Benue open grazing prohibition law.

The herdsmen, however, requested for more time to help them adapt to the new policy and resort to grazing in the reserves developed in some northern parts of Nigeria, Vanguard reports.

This was made known to journalists after a stakeholders meeting between herdsmen, governors of Benue and Nasarawa states and members of the technical sub committee of national economic council committee, by the Ebonyi state governor, David Umahi.

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Umahi said the team had successful deliberations with all parties involved.

He also said the parties from Benue, Nasarawa with the herdsmen agreed to make peace.

“We observed that all the parties are willing to make peace and we are looking at the conditions and suggestions of the various groups handed over to us as the way forward to having peace.

“From discussions, it was agreed by the parties that Benue State has the right to make laws and that individuals or group of people that are in the state have a duty to obey the law.

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“They also have a duty to meet with the authorities of the law to dialogue on any section of the law that they believe will not favour them.

“We have agreed, from all parties to this unfortunate matter, that we will pursue peace, disarm any group that is harbouring militia and support the security chiefs to arrest anyone found with illegal weapons.

“The security people have also vowed that inline with the directive they have, anybody with illegal weapon must be arrested, no matter who the person is.

“The cheering news is that the herdsmen in Benue and Nasarawa states are willing to abide by the Open Grazing Prohibition Law of Benue State but they would need more time for ranching and support from the Federal Government to move into grazing reserves," the governor noted.

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Legit.ng earlier reported that the police in Benue engaged in a shootout with suspected herdsmen in Ayilamo, Logo local government area of the state.

It was gathered that one herdsman was killed after the gun exchange which occurred on Tuesday, February 13.

Fatai Awoseni, the state commissioner of police in Benue while confirming the incident said some guns and rounds of ammunition were seized from the attackers.

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Source: Legit.ng