Protesters Demand Enforcement of Benue’s Anti-Open Grazing Law

• Gwer West residents block Makurdi-Naka road demanding enforcement of anti-open grazing law after tragic killing of 28 individuals
• Former Gwer West Chairman urges federal government to ensure safety, attributing insecurity to failure to enforce grazing law

Residents of Gwer West Local Government Area in Benue State took to the streets, blocking the Makurdi-Naka road to demand the enforcement of the state’s anti-open grazing law. This action comes in the wake of the tragic killing of 28 individuals in communities along the Gyaru-wa axis by armed assailants on Sunday night.

Mbapuun Fabian, the Secretary of Gyaruwa Forum (GAF), voiced the grievances of villagers from farming communities in Gwer West LGA, condemning the gruesome murders.

Former Chairman of Gwer West, Francis Ayagah, urged the federal government to ensure the populace’s safety. He attributed the heightened insecurity in the region to Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration’s failure to enforce the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of Benue State.

Ayagah expressed concern over the unchecked movement of herders with cattle and arms, facilitating attacks on villagers due to the non-implementation of the grazing law.

Titus Numzua, a protester from Segev/Yegev Council Ward, where the attacks occurred, highlighted the influx of herdsmen exacerbating the security situation. He appealed to the federal government to safeguard the populace and implored Governor Alia to support security agencies, Benue State Livestock Guards and Community Volunteer Guards to restore peace.

Senator Titus Zam, representing Benue North West, offered condolences to the victims and decried the attacks that claimed many lives, including women, children, and the elderly. He urged Governor Alia to intervene and ensure the safety of the affected communities.

Arc. Asema Achado, the Member representing Gwer East/Gwer West Federal Constituency, denounced the murder of constituents and called on the state government to enforce the anti-open grazing law. He emphasized the need to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

The state government had pledged to implement the grazing law following a two-week ultimatum issued to herders to vacate the state. However, the delay in implementation was attributed to the transfer of Major General Sunday Igbinomwanhia, the Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), who was responsible for enforcing the law.