Fulani Herdsmen: How Benue Government hit back at IGP Idris over open grazing comments

Nigeria - Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has said that the statements credited to the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris as having blamed the recent killings in the state by suspected herdsmen on the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of the state was shameful.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, the governor, yesterday posited that, “We thought that the IGP was misquoted and expected the police authorities to issue a rebuttal to the reports hence our delay in responding swiftly. 

Consequently, we have to respond to the erroneous impression which the reports have created.

“Indeed it was these unrelenting spate of attacks that prompted the people of the state to seek a permanent solution to the incessant clashes between farmers and herders hence the law for the establishment of ranches as the best method of animal husbandry across the globe,” he said.

According to him, the law which has constitutional backing followed due process with the requisite public hearings and inputs from various stakeholders adding that the police authorities had ample opportunity to also make input while the process was ongoing. He said the police however failed to do so.

“The unfortunate claim by the IGP indicates that some of those saddled with the responsibility of protecting lives and property as well as maintaining law and order have abdicated their duty and become accomplices with those undermining the very existence of the country. This is shameful,” Ortom said.