Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has maintained that his administration would not repeal the anti-grazing law in the state.
The Benue governor stated this on Saturday during a media parley to celebrate his second year in office.
Recall that Ortom had on May 22, 2017, signed the Benue anti-grazing law that prohibits the movement of livestock on foot within the state — following a series of clashes between herders and farmers.
The state has witnessed a series of attacks, with recent attacks happening in Katsina-Ala LGA and Agatu LGA.
Speaking to newsmen, Ortom stated that his administration his set to strengthen the anti-grazing law.
According to him, recent attacks in the state have triggered him to activate the vigilante groups to complement security agencies.
Ortom said: “A few weeks ago, Benue stakeholders met and gave this administration the mandate to activate and implement the Community Volunteer Guards Law enacted in 2000,” he said.
“We have already commenced the process of recruiting responsible people of 50 years and below into the Volunteer Guards.
“Their duty is to support the conventional security agencies in defending their communities. We have cried enough. We will cry no more. Now is time for action.
“Let me remind those who think that sustained attacks on the Benue people will force us to repeal the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law that they are making a mistake.
“This law has come to stay and no amount of intimidation can make us repeal it. Instead, we will soon amend the law in order to increase the penalties against offenders.”
This article was originally published on Nigeria News