Anti-grazing law: Kautal Hore sues Benue govt

The Benue State government yesterday confirmed that a Fulani socio-cultural group known as Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore has taken the state to court over the planned implementation of the recently enacted open grazing law.

Daily Trust reports that Governor Samuel Ortom had on May 21 signed into law the bill prohibiting open rearing and grazing of animals in any part of the state, thereby opening up the option for ranching to interested livestock breeders.

But, the leadership of Kautal Hore had expressed its reservation over the law passed by the State House of Assembly on May 4 as a panacea to incessant clashes between herders and farmers.

Ortom who told newsmen in Makurdi that the state had been dragged before a Federal High court by the herders group in a suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/527/2017, said as a law abiding citizen, he was not perturbed by the decision of the group.

“The state would slog it out with the group in court,” he said.

Ortom further emphasized that the enactment of the law expected to commence implementation by November was part of his constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property, including those of herders, positing that the bill sought the establishment of ranches not just for cattle but for all livestock, including pigs, goats and sheep.