The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has warned cattle owners against
open grazing across the State.
Ortom warned cattle owners in the state to ensure that their animals are
properly ranched to avoid open grazing or be ready to face sanctions as
stipulated by the law.
The Governor in a statement by his media aide Terver Akaase, gave the
warning when he sighted a herd of cattle roaming the streets at Iniongun road,
Wadata area of Makurdi.
Ortom directed the “Livestock Guards to immediately impound the animals and
take them to the Quarantine Unit,” where they would be auctioned if the owner
fails to pay the requisite fines after seven days.”
The statement quoted the governor as saying the law does not accord
preferences to any individual or group, whether or not they are Benue indigenes.
He stressed that herders who refuse to keep their livestock in ranches
would be prosecuted in accordance with provisions of the Open Grazing
Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law, 2017.
The governor also called on Benue people to volunteer information regarding
open grazing of animals to Livestock Guards, adding that officers and men of
the agency would not be everywhere.
