Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly, Mr Terkimbi Ikyange (Ushongo/APC), has blamed the recent massacre of Benue people by Fulani herdsmen on the inability of the Federal Government to take threats by the Cattle Breeders Association serious.
According to a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Mr Bem Abunde and availed EnviroNews, Mr Ikyange stated this while reacting to early Tuesday morning attack on some communities in Guma and Logo Local Government Areas of Benue State by suspected Fulani militia that left many people dead, injured and several properties destroyed.
The Speaker recalled that, when the National leadership of the Cattle Breeders Association under the aegis of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, openly threatened to mobilise herdsmen across the country to oppose the implementation of the Open Grazing Prohibition Law, the Assembly in a unanimous resolution, called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Inspector-General of Police to effect their arrest.
He lamented that inspite of the threats and subsequent reaction by the Assembly and the Benue State Government, no efforts were made by the Presidency and other security operatives to prevent them from carrying out their well planned massacre against the defenseless people of the state.
Mr Ikyange described the attack by the marauders as barbaric and an affront on the Rule of Law, stressing that the resolve of Benue people to stop Open Grazing is unwavering.
The Ushongo representative re-echoed the call for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the National leadership of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, as a way of halting the renewed violence against Benue communities.
While commiserating with the deceased families, people of Guma and Logo Local Government Areas and the entire people of the state over the heinous act, Mr Ikyange assured that the Assembly would back every move that will be taken by Governor Samuel Ortom to seek redress.
By Damian Daga
