- The governor of Benue state has said he would head to the International Criminal Court over herdsmen attack on his people
- The governor said the state government will not hesitate to take legal action against herdsmen operating illegally in Benue
- He also said he is determined to protect the lives and property belonging to the people of Benue.
The governor if Benue state, Samuel Ortom on Wednesday, November 1, said he is committed to heading to the International Criminal Court to protect the people of state from herdsmen attacks.
Ortom while addressing thousands of Benue people, including youths and non-indigenes resident in the state under the aegis of Street Movement Against Ravages in Benue said he will not hesitate to take legal action against herdsmen in the state.
Speaking as the Benue state Open Grazing Prohibition Law comes into effect today, November 1, the governor who was represented by his deputy, Benson Abounu said he is determined to protect the lives and property belonging to the people of Benue.
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He said: “As a law-abiding government that believes in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, we will not shy away from our responsibilities to protect the lives of all the inhabitants of Benue State against any forceful perpetration of criminal injustices.
“That is why this law came into being, And from November 1 (today), the law will come into full force because for close to five years herdsmen killed thousands of Benue people and it was almost becoming a pogrom.
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“If it means going to the International Criminal Court at The Hague, talking to people, sensitising, singing and shouting, this government will go the whole hog to protect the lives and properties of our people," Ortom said.
NAIJ.com earlier reported that the speaker of Benue state House of Assembly, Terkimbi Ikyange, said the implementation of the anti-open grazing law in the state is nonnegotiable.
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Ikyange said the state House of Assembly is aware of the threats issued by the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) regarding the grazing bill.
He said the recent threats by the association will be reported to the appropriate authorities for necessary action.
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Source: Naija.ng
ROSY CREST
Wednesday, 1 November 2017