- The Benue state government has arrested 5 Fulani herdsmen for violating the newly enacted anti-open grazing law
- The suspects were found in possession of arms, and were alleged to have killed a man who was trying to defend his wife from being raped
- Governor Samuel Ortom lamented over the violent response to the law by the herdsmen, and vowed to prosecute all offenders in police custody
Five Fulani herdsmen have been arrested by the Benue state government for gross violation of the anti-open grazing law which took effect on November 1, Channels TV reports.
The development was made public by the state governor, Samuel Ortom, in Makurdi, the state capital, during the presentation of 18 operational vehicles and 100 motorcycles to the Benue State livestock guards.
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NAIJ.com gathers that the herdsmen were arrested for allegedly killing a man who was trying to defend his wife from being raped.
They were also found to be in possession of arms and ammunition.
The arrests were confirmed by Moses Yamu, Public Relations Officer, Benue state Police Command.
Yamu further disclosed that the suspects would be made to face the law.
At the presentation ceremony, the state governor Ortom registered his unhappiness at the violent response to the implementation of the law by the herdsmen; and vowed to prosecute all offenders already in police custody.
In response, George Mbessey, Benue State Vigilante Force commandant, pledged to abide by the rules of engagement in helping security agencies track offenders.
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Meanwhile, NAIJ.com previously reported that the newly enacted anti-open grazing law was described as a ‘time bomb’, by the umbrella group for Fulani herdsmen, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore.
The national president of the association, Abdullahi Bodejo, and Sale Alhassan, its secretary, stated that the law is an attempt to destroy the means of livelihood of the herdsmen.
Fulani herdsmen are also Boko Haram - on NAIJ.com TV:
Source: Naija.ng