Anti-open grazing law - What are the objectives of the Benue State Anti-Open Grazing Law?
The major objective of the law is to bring lasting peace between farmers and herders in Benue State. Anyone, who is familiar with the state in the last few years, especially from 2011 to 2017, must have witnessed, seen, read or heard stories of incessant clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers, and in several cases, entire communities across the state. These usually take a devastating toll on human lives and property. At a time, more than 13 out of the 23 local government areas in the state were under siege. These included Guma, Makurdi, Gwer, Gwer West, Agatu, Tarka, Buruku, Logo, Katsina-Ala, Ukum, Gboko and Kwande.
A report compiled by the Benue State Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in 2014 revealed that the state lost more than 500 lives and property worth more than N95bn in 10 of these local government areas in that year’s attacks alone. All the significant houses, schools, hospitals and clinics as well as churches in the affected areas have been destroyed during herdsmen attacks. Causes of the conflict are usually over cattle grazing on farms leading to conflicts or criminal elements rustling cattle and leaving defenceless communities to bear reprisals from Fulani militia. From the Benue experience, it is clear that farming and open grazing cannot co-exist as a result of increasing population and increased farming activities. The development led several groups to demand ranching and the Samuel Ortom administration, which has had to grapple with the consequences of the clashes, responded by enacting the law through the state House of Assembly as a permanent solution to the problem in line with international best practices on livestock management.
Has the state government provided ranches for the herdsmen?
Livestock farming is a business; therefore, it is the responsibility of those involved to secure land and establish ranches in which to raise their cattle. The anti-open grazing law makes provision for livestock owners to apply for land for the ranches and follow a laid down procedure to get the land. What the state has done is to facilitate the process of easy access to land. As I pointed out earlier, cattle or livestock rearing is a business whose owners have the responsibility of providing for their herds. Nevertheless, I believe that if those involved come together and liaise with the relevant authorities, a conducive environment, in which to operate, can be provided for them.
Is it possible to extend the time for the implementation of the law?
I think that in legal parlance, the law came into effect the very day Governor Ortom signed the bill passed by the state House of Assembly in May this year. However, the governor gave a period of grace for about six months for livestock owners to follow the due process for the establishment of ranches before the commencement of the implementation. I believe that if those calling for extension of time had started the processes involved and had encountered bottlenecks, which required extension of time, that might have been handled during the grace period. If that was not the case, it might be that a call for the extension of time may be a clever way of evading the law, more so that the challenges, which the law seeks to tackle, are a time bomb which can explode at any time, especially with the approach of the dry season.
Are you satisfied with the level of the sensitisation before the implementation of the law?
There was a grace period during which the structures for implementation were put in place. The livestock guards were organised and trained alongside the other groups involved. Advisory committees, comprising all the stakeholders, were inaugurated at the state, local government and ward levels while sensitisation, which is a continuous process, has not stopped. The security agencies have also been involved in these processes.
It seems that the law places emphasis on cattle. Is that true?
The provisions of the law cover all categories of livestock, including goats, sheep, pigs, monkeys, and birds. However, cattle are more prominent because they have provoked more clashes than the other categories of livestock.
Is it true that the law was targeted at a particular group?
Not at all! Anyone, who contravenes the provision of the law, will face sanctions. Indeed, it seems to be an advantage to those who own cattle because stiff penalties have been made against cattle rustling. Besides, if herdsmen settle in ranches, they can have access to better health care and education, even as their cattle can grow fatter, quicker and they would also be saved from the vagaries of the elements and all the unpleasant consequences of pastoral ‘nomadism’.
Won’t the exit of herdsmen, who cannot establish ranches, have adverse effects on security situation in the state?
I already mentioned that modalities have been put in place to enforce the law. This includes the mobilisation of the state security apparatus and other groups that will complement it to tackle challenges that may arise.
Do you have any proof that herdsmen plan to invade the state?
They have made the threats openly during press conferences widely circulated in the media; this is in the public domain. Besides, Fulani militia are rated the fourth most deadly terror group in the world who, from antecedents, fulfil their threats. Governor Ortom has formally written to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Inspector-General of Police requesting the arrest of those who made the threats. These developments have been discussed at the state security council and it will be surprising if the state police commissioner is not aware. Those who think the matter is an issue for propaganda are not fair to the people of Benue State, who have borne the brunt of herdsmen attacks over the years. I dare say they may be part of the conspiracy to undermine the peace and progress of the Benue people.
Are you worried by the silence of the northern leaders on the threats by Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore in spite of representations made to them by the Benue State government?
I think that by sending out delegations on the matter, the Benue State Government has made a big point, that it has a challenge and is looking for solutions and synergy with major stakeholders. Others may think that it is a Benue problem, but we think it is an ill wind that will not blow anyone any good eventually. Indeed, it’s a major conflagration waiting to explode if not tackled by patriots across the nation.
How is the Benue State Government responding to court cases filed by the herdsmen challenging the law?
We have met them in court and have entered our defence, that our law is based on the Nigerian constitution, which empowers states to make laws for good governance. The state has a formidable team of lawyers many of whom have offered their services free.
Are there grazing routes in Benue State?
I’m not aware of any.
What other efforts are the state making to solve the problems between farmers and herders?
There have been many meetings convened to deliberate on the matter within the state and beyond as well as several other peace-building efforts. State security councils of Nasarawa and Taraba have met with that of Benue several times. You may recall the Agatu peace treaty. But the most fundamental solution is the anti-open grazing law.
The major objective of the law is to bring lasting peace between farmers and herders in Benue State. Anyone, who is familiar with the state in the last few years, especially from 2011 to 2017, must have witnessed, seen, read or heard stories of incessant clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers, and in several cases, entire communities across the state. These usually take a devastating toll on human lives and property. At a time, more than 13 out of the 23 local government areas in the state were under siege. These included Guma, Makurdi, Gwer, Gwer West, Agatu, Tarka, Buruku, Logo, Katsina-Ala, Ukum, Gboko and Kwande.
A report compiled by the Benue State Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in 2014 revealed that the state lost more than 500 lives and property worth more than N95bn in 10 of these local government areas in that year’s attacks alone. All the significant houses, schools, hospitals and clinics as well as churches in the affected areas have been destroyed during herdsmen attacks. Causes of the conflict are usually over cattle grazing on farms leading to conflicts or criminal elements rustling cattle and leaving defenceless communities to bear reprisals from Fulani militia. From the Benue experience, it is clear that farming and open grazing cannot co-exist as a result of increasing population and increased farming activities. The development led several groups to demand ranching and the Samuel Ortom administration, which has had to grapple with the consequences of the clashes, responded by enacting the law through the state House of Assembly as a permanent solution to the problem in line with international best practices on livestock management.
Has the state government provided ranches for the herdsmen?
Livestock farming is a business; therefore, it is the responsibility of those involved to secure land and establish ranches in which to raise their cattle. The anti-open grazing law makes provision for livestock owners to apply for land for the ranches and follow a laid down procedure to get the land. What the state has done is to facilitate the process of easy access to land. As I pointed out earlier, cattle or livestock rearing is a business whose owners have the responsibility of providing for their herds. Nevertheless, I believe that if those involved come together and liaise with the relevant authorities, a conducive environment, in which to operate, can be provided for them.
Is it possible to extend the time for the implementation of the law?
I think that in legal parlance, the law came into effect the very day Governor Ortom signed the bill passed by the state House of Assembly in May this year. However, the governor gave a period of grace for about six months for livestock owners to follow the due process for the establishment of ranches before the commencement of the implementation. I believe that if those calling for extension of time had started the processes involved and had encountered bottlenecks, which required extension of time, that might have been handled during the grace period. If that was not the case, it might be that a call for the extension of time may be a clever way of evading the law, more so that the challenges, which the law seeks to tackle, are a time bomb which can explode at any time, especially with the approach of the dry season.
Are you satisfied with the level of the sensitisation before the implementation of the law?
There was a grace period during which the structures for implementation were put in place. The livestock guards were organised and trained alongside the other groups involved. Advisory committees, comprising all the stakeholders, were inaugurated at the state, local government and ward levels while sensitisation, which is a continuous process, has not stopped. The security agencies have also been involved in these processes.
It seems that the law places emphasis on cattle. Is that true?
The provisions of the law cover all categories of livestock, including goats, sheep, pigs, monkeys, and birds. However, cattle are more prominent because they have provoked more clashes than the other categories of livestock.
Is it true that the law was targeted at a particular group?
Not at all! Anyone, who contravenes the provision of the law, will face sanctions. Indeed, it seems to be an advantage to those who own cattle because stiff penalties have been made against cattle rustling. Besides, if herdsmen settle in ranches, they can have access to better health care and education, even as their cattle can grow fatter, quicker and they would also be saved from the vagaries of the elements and all the unpleasant consequences of pastoral ‘nomadism’.
Won’t the exit of herdsmen, who cannot establish ranches, have adverse effects on security situation in the state?
I already mentioned that modalities have been put in place to enforce the law. This includes the mobilisation of the state security apparatus and other groups that will complement it to tackle challenges that may arise.
Do you have any proof that herdsmen plan to invade the state?
They have made the threats openly during press conferences widely circulated in the media; this is in the public domain. Besides, Fulani militia are rated the fourth most deadly terror group in the world who, from antecedents, fulfil their threats. Governor Ortom has formally written to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Inspector-General of Police requesting the arrest of those who made the threats. These developments have been discussed at the state security council and it will be surprising if the state police commissioner is not aware. Those who think the matter is an issue for propaganda are not fair to the people of Benue State, who have borne the brunt of herdsmen attacks over the years. I dare say they may be part of the conspiracy to undermine the peace and progress of the Benue people.
Are you worried by the silence of the northern leaders on the threats by Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore in spite of representations made to them by the Benue State government?
I think that by sending out delegations on the matter, the Benue State Government has made a big point, that it has a challenge and is looking for solutions and synergy with major stakeholders. Others may think that it is a Benue problem, but we think it is an ill wind that will not blow anyone any good eventually. Indeed, it’s a major conflagration waiting to explode if not tackled by patriots across the nation.
How is the Benue State Government responding to court cases filed by the herdsmen challenging the law?
We have met them in court and have entered our defence, that our law is based on the Nigerian constitution, which empowers states to make laws for good governance. The state has a formidable team of lawyers many of whom have offered their services free.
Are there grazing routes in Benue State?
I’m not aware of any.
What other efforts are the state making to solve the problems between farmers and herders?
There have been many meetings convened to deliberate on the matter within the state and beyond as well as several other peace-building efforts. State security councils of Nasarawa and Taraba have met with that of Benue several times. You may recall the Agatu peace treaty. But the most fundamental solution is the anti-open grazing law.
In this interview with JOHN CHARLES, the Special Adviser to the Benue
State Governor on Media and ICT, Mr. Tahav Argezua, speaks on the
benefits of the new anti-open grazing law and other issues
In this article: