Ortom seeks arrest of Miyetti Allah leaders as Anti-grazing law enforcement begins November 1

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state said Tuesday that despite threats by  Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, implementation of the state Anti-Open Grazing Act would commence on November 1, 2017.
Speaking to State House correspondents after a close-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, Ortom also called for the arrest of leaders of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore for vowing to thwart the anti-open grazing law.
“I came to brief Mr. President about the security situation in my state, about the threat by Miyetti Allah that has even taken us to court. They threaten that they will make the Anti-Open Grazing Act impossible for the people of Benue state. I intimated him and also on the security situation generally in the state.
“I am a law abiding citizen and a governor, Benue people are law abiding and that is why in the midst of the provocation from herdsmen attack, we took time to ensure that we put law in place, sign it and we are going to start implementation 1st of November and we hope that people will comply.
“Everyone in Benue State should appreciate the fact that it is the law that is giving us protection. It is the intention of this government to ensure that we give protection to lives and property through the rule of law. So, anyone staying in Benue State must comply,” he said.
The governor called on security agencies not to allow members of the group reverse the peace the people of Benue state are currently enjoying or make the state ungovernable.
He said the law is not targeted at any particular group but meant to protect both farmers and herdsmen, who he enjoined to take up offers of land for ranching.
“One thing I must say is that the law protects herdsmen and farmers. We are against cattle rustling, those who are caught will be penalized. Those who want to stay in Benue State and do cattle business must ranch their cattles, this is what we are saying. As far as we are concern, the law is not targeted at any individual, group of people or ethnic group, it is meant to protect everyone who is living in Benue State.
“Miyetti Allah has taken us to court and we are there with them. But I don’t see how they will come and over run Benue and make it ungovernable, it is not going to be accepted. We stand by what we have done, we have done our legitimate, lawful role as governor, as citizens of the state, so, we don’t see how somebody will sit somewhere and say that we should not implement a law that has restored peace in our place.
“If you want to bring confusion I want to assure you that I have directed the security men to arrest those people. I am calling for the arrest of the leadership of Miyetti Allah, to be prosecuted to serve as a deterrent. We have for a long time celebrated impunity in this country, we cannot continue like that. And so if they come out with this kind of threat, the evidence are there, they did a world press conference, so what is the security agencies doing? These people must be penalised,” he said.
On if the state government has made provision for ranches, the governor said: “Of course, we have lands. Those who want to apply to get land to ranch they should do it, there are couple of ranches around. We are also going to provide land in designated places in the three senatorial zones, these have been approved by the state executive council and as many that are interested in having these ranches, we will give them the land.”

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