Violation of anti-open grazing law: Fulani herdsmen arrested in Agatu

By John Anthony Ikwulono

Herdsmen who were seen grazing illegally around the fadama area of Agatu where cattle were eating rice and other farm produce, were today arrested by Security operates through the collaboration of the Caretaker Chairman Agatu Local Government Council, Hon Usman Alilu S as well as other indigenes of the area.

The Caretaker Chairman who was so excited while speaking on a telephone conversation with journalists on Thursday 9th January 2020, stated that, he was glad that he got information about stubborn herdsmen’s illegal activities and they swung into action.

According to him, when he got the information that the influx of herdsmen around Agatu fadama land was becoming worrisome as cattle were seen destroying Farmers’ crop at a time that harvest was currently going on, he was sad and then quickly directed operation whirl-stroke to get set for action which he personally supervised and went down to the Zone A axis of the local government where he and the security operatives have been patrolling almost on daily basis until today when luck ran out of the culprits and they were arrested immediately.

According to him, the Anti-open grazing law in Benue State, established by Benue State Governor, Dr Samuel Ortom had come to stay and they would not allow anyone to violate the law, hence the arrest of the said herdsmen whose activities according to him, were capable of causing unforseen danger. He directed the DPO to immediately transfer the lawbreakers
to Makurdi which the Agatu Police Boss obliged.

Recall that, usually during harvest period as this, while farmers should be happy to get bumper harvests, herdsmen would always visit the land uninformed and destroy crops in the name of feeding their cows, insisting that their cattle always look healthier each time they fed on grasses and other crops on Agatu land”, a song which became rampant in the mouth of Fulani Herdsmen.

Kudos to Agatu Council Boss as well as operation whirl-stroke for there commendable efforts.