Ranching law not responsible for current killings, Ortom insists

Ranching law not responsible for
current killings, Ortom insists

Governor Samuel Ortom has insisted that the recent killings in Benue state were not as a result of the ranching law signed
last year.

According to the governor, the crisis claimed nearly 2,000 lives before the
making of the law last year, adding that the attacks have continued across the
country where there is no grazing law in place.

Governor Ortom says there is no going back on the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches
Establishment Law.

The governor who made his stance known via a statement sent to National Focusnews  by his spokesman, Terver Akase, noted that there are wrong impressions being
created in some quarters that the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches
Establishment Law is the cause of the recent spate of violence, killings and
occupation of some communities in the
state by armed herdsmen.

Part of the statement read: “Those who claim that the law is the reason for the
killings need to be reminded that more than 50 attacks on communities across 14 local government areas Benue state date back to 2011 and had claimed nearly
2,000 lives before the making of the law
last year.

“It can also be recalled that former Governor Gabriel Suswam's convoy came
under attack when he was on an inspection tour of some of the ravaged
communities in Guma local government
area during his tenure.

“Besides, incessant attacks continue to
take place in several states in the six geopolitical zones across the country
where there is no grazing law in place.

“Miyetti Allah Kautal H*re declared during a press conference held on Tuesday 30th May, 2017 in Abuja, that the crises in
the state was a struggle for natural resources of the Benue Valley and that it
would mobilize Fulani kith and kin across the world to invade and chase out the
indigenous inhabitants.

That is what is currently taking place.”

The governor said the Ranching Law was
enacted by his administration as a
permanent solution to the frequent crises caused by open grazing of livestock in accordance with globally recognised
modern methods of animal husbandry.

He urged anyone with a superior remedy for the farmers-herdsmen crisis to bring it to the table, adding that the law has
been a tremendous success since its
implementation began on November 1, 2017.
“Many persons who have violated the law have been arrested, detained and tried, with some who were found guilty already
convicted.

“Those insinuating that the law has failed to achieve its purpose need to remember that the existence of a law does not imply that there won't be offences.

“It is in recognition of the fact that bad elements in the society will always
perpetrate unlawful acts that a law is made with provisions for punishment.

“The Benue state government will not be
distracted by the views of those who are against implementation of the law.
“The Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law has come to stay,” the statement said.