Open grazing ban: We’ll meet in court, Ortom tells Miyetti Allah
Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has insisted that the law banning open grazing in the state is irrevocable. He also told the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore that he is prepared to meet them in court for any legal battle.
The Secretary-General of the group, Saleh Hassan, at a briefing in Abuja on Monday, threatened that they will take legal action against the Benue State Government over what he claimed were illegal seizures of cows belonging to their members on account of violation of the ban on open grazing of cattle in the state.
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Governor Ortom, through his Chief Press Secretary CCPS) Nath Ikyur dismissed claims by the group that the cattle seized in the state by the Livestock Guards for violating the anti-open grazing law in the state were done illegally.
“There is a law in place. And it is very clear that anyone who allows his or her cattle to roam freely in the state violates the law.
When such herds are seized by the Livestock Guards, a time frame is given for owners to come forward and claim them,” he stated.
Governor Ortom maintained that “everyone is free to ply his or her legitimate business in this state in so much as they do not infringe on the provisions of this law against open grazing.”
The governor said he will not compromise the security and welfare of all citizens and inhabitants of the state.
