Benue: Miyetti Allah Apologises to Ortom Over Killings

  • The meeting was initiated by Allen Onyeama, CEO Air Peace.
  • Ortom says Anti-Open Graing Law law protects farmers and livestock farmers,

The Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore has apologised to Benue Governor, Samuel Ortom, for the attacks and killings in the state caused by herdsmen.

The apology was tendered by Saleh Alhassan, the association’s national secretary on Saturday at a peace meeting in Makurdi. He also pledged to ensure peaceful coexistence between farmers and herdsmen in the state.

It was gathered that the peace meeting was initiated by Allen Onyeama, the chairman of Air Peace airline.

READ: You Must Show Any Proof of Gazzetted Land in Benue, Ortom Challenges Presidency

Terver Akase, Ortom’s chief press secretary in a statement said the group described Governor Ortom as a peace-loving man who stood firmly for the emancipation of his people.

Alhasan also assured that members of the group would embrace the peace initiatives put forward by the Governor.

“We are sorry for all that happened. Governor Ortom is peace-loving man who stood firmly for his people and I can assure you that our members will support and work with the peace initiatives of the Governor,” he said.

Speaking at the meeting Governor Ortom said the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law was enforced as a way of ending the killings and encourage ranching as the global best practice of animal husbandry, not to cause any crisis.

The governor who assured that the law protects farmers and livestock farmers added that any person or ethnic group can acquire land in the state to rear livestock.

“The law has provisions for the protection of both the farmers and herders so it is a win-win for all and it is not meant to promote crisis but to ensure peaceful coexistence.

“So anyone or ethnic group wishing to rear livestock in Benue state is free to come, acquire land and ranch according to the provisions of the ranching law without hindrance.”

Speaking earlier, Onyema said he personally brought Alhassan to the meeting because of the need for a peaceful cohabiting of farmers and herders in Benue state.

READ: South East Governors Reach Agreement With Herdsmen Over Ruga Settlement

It could be recalled that Agatu town mostly has been in the news after being affected by the clashes.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *