Benue indigenes storm national assembly, reject cattle colonies

Agency ReporterJanuary 18, 2018

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Hundreds of indigenes of Benue state currently camped at the entrance of the National Assembly Complex.

Dressed in black attires and wielding different placards, the protesters lamented the killings suspected to have been carried out by herdsmen.

They also kicked against the idea of establishing cattle colonies.

As of the time, this report was filed, security operatives had not allowed them into the premises.

Some of them who spoke to TheCable accused President Muhammadu Buhari of ignoring the killings in the state.

Over 80 indigenes of Benue have been killed in separate attacks within this month.

Buhari has held different meetings with stakeholders from the state and top security officials.

The president had ordered Ibrahim Idris, inspector-general of police, to arrest those behind the killings but less than 24 hours after the directive, suspected herdsmen returned to communities where they killed six people.

Myetti Allah Kautal Hore, an umbrella body for herdsmen, has called on Samuel Ortom, governor of Benue, to review the anti-grazing law.

The law proscribed cattle roaming and recommended a five-year jail term for offenders. About 20 persons who violated it are currently languishing in detention.

Vowing not to repeal it, Ortom advised herdsmen to accept ranching.