Despite herdsmen protest, Benue governor pushes ahead with anti-open grazing law; takes strong action to empower vigilantes to enforce law

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- 18 pick-up trucks and 100 motorcycles have been purchased for the Benue state Livestock and Community Volunteer Guards, by the state governor, Samuel Ortom

- The new equipments were purchased to help the volunteers implement the newly enacted anti-open grazing law in the state

- Governor Ortom urged the guards to carry out their duties within the ambits of the law and urged other groups to help rid the state of other forms of criminality

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state has purchased 18 pick-up trucks and 100 motorcycles for distribution to the Livestock and Community Volunteer Guards (LCVG), in order to enable them fully implement the anti-open grazing law, New Telegraph reports.

The development was made public by the governor during a meeting with the volunteer guards at the Government House in Makurdi, the state capital, on Monday, November 6.

NAIJ.com notes that the move comes just six days after the law took effect in the state.

The anti-open grazing law was enacted to control the grazing of livestock and curtail the frequent attacks by the herdsmen on farmers.

Ortom disclosed that a workshop would be organized to empower the guards with the necessary security knowledge they need to carry out their duties.

Ortom stressed that under the law, every livestock within the state must be ranched, and urged the guards to carry out their responsibilities creditably, and within the ambits of the law.

The governor further disclosed that potential investors would only make investments into the state’s economy in an atmosphere of peace; and urged various groups to assist in curbing other forms of criminality rampant in the state including kidnapping, cultism, armed robbery and assassinations.

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Meanwhile, NAIJ.com previously reported that Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state declared that nobody would be spared in the enforcement of the anti-grazing law in the state.

The grazing law took effect from Wednesday, November 1; some months after the governor assented to it.

Ortom also called for partnership with the Benue state government, on advocacy for ranches.

Fulani herdsmen are also Boko Haram - on NAIJ.com TV: