Benue state in Nigeria recently passed Anti-Grazing bill into law. This state law was enacted to prevent the persistent face-off between herdsmen and farmers. Benue state has been at the centre of this crisis for decade. Fulani herdsmen had been killed, their cattles stolen or killed, while many Benue indigens had been killed, women raped, and communities sacked. No week passes without pathetic news from Benue communities. Both sides of divide have always mourned their losses and leak their pains because no one compensates anyone.
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These ugly experiences on both sides had made the state government to pass the above mentioned bill into law. This is the only thing the jittering government of Benue could do. Government that had failed to protect his people.
The argument in favour of this law is that moving cattles from one area to another in search of pastures is old-fashion. It is not done any more due to increase in the population. The law permits those who are interested in cattle rearing to have ranches in other to restrict the movement of their animals and put to a stop destruction of farmers crops which has been the bone of contention.
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On the other hand, the Fulani herdsmen who are known for their nomadic life, argued that the Act is against them. They desired that a corridor be given them from the far end of the north to the far end of the south. They also demanded that every state should allocate lands to them for ranches, but this was resisted by many states' governors.
This Act, government believes, will solve the problem of insecurity in the state. Other states are encouraged to follow suit to stem the menace emanating from herders and farmers clashes.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THE END OF RAPING AND BLOODLETTING IN THE VILLAGES OF BENUE.
