By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi
Commander of the Livestock Guards, Benue State Command, Mr Linus Zaki has disclosed that over 12000 cows, 531 Sheeps have been impounded by the men and Officers of the command between 2018 and 2021.
Mr Zaki who made this disclosure in Makurdi while briefing Newsmen over the activities of the command hinted that efforts are being stepped up to stamp out Open Grazing in the state, assuring that the law prohibiting open grazing will be implemented to the later.
The Commander contended that activities of Livestock Guards have helped in ending herdsmen, Farmers crisis in the state, describing ranching as the best option for animal husbandry.
He debunked the rumour that attacks on Benue communities by herdsmen was as a result of arrest of their cattles by the personnel of the Guards.
” When you say it is as a result of the arrest that the Fulanis are attacking, I don’t believe that because those people have been attacking whether they arrest their cows or not they will still attack”.
Continuing, Zaki pointed out that the law has come to stay, contending that no amount of attacks would make the government repeal the law.
“How many times have I arrested cows in Mbagwen that the community came under attack, in my village their is nobody there now- nobody”, he lamented.
According to the Commander, no fewer than five personnel of the Guards lost their lives in the course of their duties.
He expressed disgust over the nonchalant attitude of some members of the Public towards the Anti Open Grazing Law, maintaining that personnel of the Livestock Guards would not relevant in apprehending those who floute the law.
