The zonal chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, North Central, Alhaji Danladu Ciroma, has assured Benue State government that his leadership will continue to educate and sensitize herdsmen to obey the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of the state.

Alhaji Ciroma in an interview with journalists after taking receipts of over 460 cattle arrested and detained by the Livestock Guard commended the governor for directing the release of the cattle free of charge to their members.

“The association under my watch will ensure that my people ranch their cattle and as well stop the idea of carrying arms in the process of rearing cattle and we will also cooperate with security agencies by encouraging our members to report suspicious herders among them,” he said.

While calling on herdsmen to always give useful information and support to the security agencies to help them arrest perpetrators of crimes, Alhaji Ciroma also promised to liase with local Ardos to check the activities of herdsmen who are in the habit of grazing in the night.

The Chief Security Adviser, Col. Paul Hembah in an interview during the handover explained that the release of the cattle free of charge to the owners was as a result of the directives of Governor Samuel Ortom in the spirit of oneness.

“The Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of the State stipulates that if your cattle are arrested, detained and exceed the mandatory seven days in detention, they should be confiscated and auction, but most of the cattle here have exceeded 15 days in detention and the governor in his usual magnanimous directed the Livestock Guards to release them free of charge to the owners,” he said.

Also speaking, the Benue State Commandant Livestock Guards, Linus Zaki however warned that the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law is in place so anyone who violates this law whether in the night or day time would be arrested and handed over to the security operatives for onward prosecution. (Leadership)

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