Tension in Benue as Fulani herdsmen take over airport site to graze cattle, in defiance of anti-open grazing law
- A site earmarked by the Benue state government for the construction of a cargo airport has been overtaken by Fulani herdsmen, in violation of the newly enacted anti-open grazing law
- The herdsmen have also taken over other local government areas; and their cattle have been seen grazing on farmlands
- Residents of the affected communities are reportedly living in perpetual fear as a result of the development
Fulani herdsmen have taken over a site earmarked by the Benue state government for the construction of a cargo airport, located along Makurdi-Lafia Expressway, New Telegraph reports.
The development comes barely 2 months after the state government passed the anti-open grazing law.
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NAIJ.com gathers that the herdsmen are already grazing their cattle on the property; and that the situation is causing deep disaffection among the mostly agrarian residents of the community.
Reports further indicate that the herdsmen have also taken over other local government areas; including Ushongo, Otukpo, Gwer West, Makurdi and Guma; and hundreds of their livestock have been seen grazing on farmlands there.
Residents of the affected communities are now living in perpetual fear; and this fear is heightened, as it is the peak of harvesting season.
Colonel Edwin Jando (rtd), Security Adviser to Governor Samuel Ortom, could not be reached to comment on the development.
However, Alhaji Shehu Tambaya, the special assistant to the governor on herdsmen matters, said Fulani herdsmen in the state had been sensitised on the need to embrace the anti-open grazing law.
He said that the law was permanent; and described it as the only solution to end the recurring clashes between herdsmen and farmers.
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Meanwhile, NAIJ.com previously reported that five Fulani herdsmen were arrested by the Benue state government for gross violation of the anti-open grazing law.
The herdsmen were arrested for allegedly killing a man who was trying to defend his wife from being raped.
They were also found to be in possession of arms and ammunition.
Fulani herdsmen are also Boko Haram - on NAIJ.com TV:
Source: Naija.ng