ONITSHA—MIYETTI Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, yesterday faulted the implementation of the anti-open grazing bill by the Benue State government on grounds that its lead to the recent killings in Benue.
South East zonal chairman of the association, Alhayi Idris Gidado in an interview with Vanguard in Awka said the Benue State Governor, Samuel Orton misfired by implanting the bill, saying that it was the cause of the long drawn crisis that has claimed many lives in the state.
“If I was consulted on the bill, I would have told the government that the approach is wrong. What they said is banning cattle grazing and the establishment of cattle ranches in Benue State and not what government has done,” he said.
According to him, the bill is indirectly a measure to deal with the Fulanis, noting that whoever advised the Benue government on the bill is not a good adviser.
While commiserating with the families whose relatives lost their lives in the Benue killings, Gidado reasoned that the crises could have been averted if the state government had not insisted on the implementation of the bill and evolved another subtle approach.
He said: “Both the farmers and the cattle leaders are suffering from the violent crisis in Benue state. The government as a matter of urgency should come out with a blueprint that will put an end to the killings. The crisis can be resolved through dialogue. Read more<<<<<
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