The police in Benue say they will strictly enforce the
provisions of the anti-open grazing law, which comes into effect on
Wednesday, Nov. 1, and curb any infringements.
The Commissioner of Police in Benue, Mr Bashir Makama, gave the
warning on Tuesday in a telephone interview with News Agency of
Nigeria (NAN) in Makurdi.
He said that all the stakeholders, including herdsmen, were
expected to obey the provisions of the law.
On the preparedness of the police to enforce the new law, Makama
quipped: “Has there been any situation where the police were not
ready to enforce the laws?’
He, however, assured the citizens that the police would follow
the provisions of the law and enforce them accordingly.
“For us, we will follow the law strictly and enforce its
provisions where necessary,’’ he added.
Some Makurdi residents, who voiced support for the new law,
however, called on the law enforcement agencies to make pragmatic
efforts to ensure its enforcement.
Mr Justin Gbagir, a lawyer, said that laws were meant to curb
certain ills in society, adding that in this instance, the law
sought to address the menace of open range grazing.
He stressed that open range grazing was responsible for the
incessant herdsmen-farmers clashes, adding that the law intended to
end such conflicts.
Gbagir rejected the position of those agitating for the
postponement of the law’s implementation.
“Laws are not enacted for the convenience of particular people
but to cure certain ills in the society and in this regard, the
frequent clashes between herders and farmers over land,’’ he
said.
He said that the government had given enough time for herdsmen
to ranch their cattle, adding that “any extension of time will
amount to amending the law”.
Also speaking, Mr Baba Agan, a commercial farmer, said the
implementation of the law would reduce the incidence of
animal-related diseases which were rampant in rural
communities.
He said that most sick cattle drank water from same water
sources which the residents of the rural areas used, thereby
exposing the people to the risks of catching such diseases.
Agan underscored the need for herdsmen to ranch their cattle,
while providing drinking water, veterinary clinics and other basic
necessities for the animals.
The law was enacted on May 22 but its implementation had been
delayed to Nov.1 to enable herdsmen to have ample time to acquire
lands and build ranches.
The law seeks the establishment of ranches and outlaws open
range grazing of livestock. It also seeks to protect people’s lives
and livestock by criminalising cattle rustling. (NAN)
The police in Benue say they will strictly enforce the
provisions of the anti-open grazing law, which comes into effect on
Wednesday, Nov. 1, and curb any infringements.
The Commissioner of Police in Benue, Mr Bashir Makama, gave the
warning on Tuesday in a telephone interview with News Agency of
Nigeria (NAN) in Makurdi.
He said that all the stakeholders, including herdsmen, were
expected to obey the provisions of the law.
On the preparedness of the police to enforce the new law, Makama
quipped: “Has there been any situation where the police were not
ready to enforce the laws?’
He, however, assured the citizens that the police would follow
the provisions of the law and enforce them accordingly.
“For us, we will follow the law strictly and enforce its
provisions where necessary,’’ he added.
Some Makurdi residents, who voiced support for the new law,
however, called on the law enforcement agencies to make pragmatic
efforts to ensure its enforcement.
Mr Justin Gbagir, a lawyer, said that laws were meant to curb
certain ills in society, adding that in this instance, the law
sought to address the menace of open range grazing.
He stressed that open range grazing was responsible for the
incessant herdsmen-farmers clashes, adding that the law intended to
end such conflicts.
Gbagir rejected the position of those agitating for the
postponement of the law’s implementation.
“Laws are not enacted for the convenience of particular people
but to cure certain ills in the society and in this regard, the
frequent clashes between herders and farmers over land,’’ he
said.
He said that the government had given enough time for herdsmen
to ranch their cattle, adding that “any extension of time will
amount to amending the law”.
Also speaking, Mr Baba Agan, a commercial farmer, said the
implementation of the law would reduce the incidence of
animal-related diseases which were rampant in rural
communities.
He said that most sick cattle drank water from same water
sources which the residents of the rural areas used, thereby
exposing the people to the risks of catching such diseases.
Agan underscored the need for herdsmen to ranch their cattle,
while providing drinking water, veterinary clinics and other basic
necessities for the animals.
The law was enacted on May 22 but its implementation had been
delayed to Nov.1 to enable herdsmen to have ample time to acquire
lands and build ranches.
The law seeks the establishment of ranches and outlaws open
range grazing of livestock. It also seeks to protect people’s lives
and livestock by criminalising cattle rustling. (NAN)
Read more https://nairalaw.com/police-will-enforce-benue-anti-open-grazing-law-cp/