After Meeting Buhari, Benue Gov Threatens Fulani Herdsmen With Arrest

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has threatened the arrest of Fulani Herdsmen caught flouting the state’s anti-open grazing law which comes into effect on November 1.

Speaking on Tuesday at the State House in Abuja, Ortom cautioned the Miyetti Allah (cattle herders association) against making the state ungovernable for Benue residents.

The governor had before President Muhammadu Buhari’s meeting with a delegation of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), briefed the president on the alleged threat by the association.

“The law is not targeted at any particular group but meant to protect both farmers and herdsmen, who should take up offers of land for ranching,” said Ortom.

“The state could no longer continue with a monthly wage bill of N7.8 billion and has begun the process of reducing it to an average of N4.5 billion,” he added.