A Fulani socio-cultural organization, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, tendered an apology to the Executive Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, over herdsmen attacks and killings in the state.
National Secretary of the association, Engr. Saleh Alhassan, who spoke yesterday in Makurdi during a peace initiative brokered by the Chairman of Air Peace, Chief Allen Onyeama, expressed regrets over the killings and pledged to ensure peaceful coexistence between herdsmen and farmers in the state.
He described Governor Ortom as a peace-loving man who stood firmly for the emancipation of his people. He said members of the group would embrace the peace initiatives put forward by the Governor.
Responding, Governor Ortom said the enactment of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law by Benue State Government was to end the killing of innocent people and encourage ranching as the global best practice of animal husbandry.
He stated that any person or ethnic group wishing to rear livestock in the state was free to come, acquire land and ranch according to provisions of the ranching law of the state.
The Governor noted that the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law protects both farmers and livestock owners, adding that legislation was not meant to promote crisis of any kind.
Chief Onyeama had earlier emphasised the need for peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders in Benue State, saying he personally brought Alhaji Saleh to broker peace between Miyetti Allah groups and the people of the state. (The Nation)
