Impound any Cow grazing openly – Gov. Ortom charges Livestock Guards
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has charged the state Livestock Guards to ensure that no herd of cattle be seen openly grazing in any part of the state goes without being impounded. He gave the charge today, in Makurdi while inspecting impounded cows at the quarantine unit of the state Ministry of Agriculture.
He stated that there had been influx of armed herdsmen with large herds of animals into the state, despite the high level of awareness creation on the existence of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law.
The Governor stated that several herds of cattle had been impounded and quarantined in other local government areas in the state, pointing out that trucks have been acquired by government to help Livestock Guards convey impounded livestocks from long distances to quarantine units for safe keeping.
He described the influx of the armed herdsmen as life threatening, saying such would not be condoned by his administration.
Governor Ortom said over four hundred herders have been arrested and are being prosecuted at various stages, pointing out that the herders destroy farm produce and even make harvested crops feeds for the cattle.
He said the enforcement of the ranching law would continue to enable those who wish to do livestock business comply with its provisions as there is no intention to repeal the ranching law.
