The Fulani
socio-cultural group, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, has apologised to Governor
Samuel Ortom for the numerous herdsmen attacks and killings recorded in Benue
State.
The National Secretary
of the association, Saleh Alhassan, tendered the apology at an event in
Makurdi, the state capital, saying Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore regretted the
killings in Benue and pledged to ensure peaceful coexistence between herdsmen
and farmers in the state going forward.
Alhassan described
Governor Ortom as a peace-loving man who stood firmly for the emancipation of
his people and gave assurance that members of the association would embrace the
peace initiatives put forward by the governor.
While accepting
Alhassan’s apology, Governor Ortom said the Open Grazing Prohibition and
Ranches Establishment Law enacted by the state government, was aimed at ending
the killing of innocent people and to encourage ranching as the global best
practice of animal husbandry.
He added that the Open Grazing Prohibition and
Ranches Establishment Law protect has both farmers and livestock owners,
stressing that the law was not targeted at promoting crisis of any kind.
The peace initiative
was brokered by the Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyeama, at a wedding
reception in the state capital.
The state has recorded
the highest number of clash between farmers and herdsmen resulting in the death
of many residents in the state.
