Nomads convert sacked Benue farmers’ produce to cattle feeds

IT was yesterday revealed that the farm produce of the sacked residents of Mbatoho community, a surburb of Makurdi, the Benue State capital, had been fed with cattle. The settle was invaded on T uesday by herdsmen, resulting in the displacement of 5,000 persons.

A reliable source in the Office of the Special Adviser to the governor on Security, Paul Hembah, told The Guardian in Makurdi that though no life was lost to the incident, but was quick to add that if the inhabitants eventually return, they would be left with no food, shelter and seedlings for this year’s planting season.

He added that the herders, after sacking the farmers, settled down in some of their houses and go about their business of daily grazing contrary to the la w of the state.

The source said the invaders, on sighting the convoy of the security adviser on the island, took to their heels, leaving behind most of their cows.

He said: “When our team arrived at the settlement, we discovered that the herdsmen had set on fire some houses and barns. They (herdsmen) had reserved most of the produce and were feeding themselves as well as their flock with yams and grains belonging to the displaced farmers.”

However, the state government said it was working very hard to ensure the return of the residents to their homes in good time.

It was further gathered from the security aide’s office that Governor Samuel Ortom had directed the security agencies to assess the situation and flush out the assailants to pave way for the safe return of the residents.