There are indications that the exit order slammed on Fulani herders by the governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, may be a ruse after all. Reports from several local government areas in the state indicated that the herdsmen have defiantly continued with their cattle grazing.
As of press time, cattle and their herders were seen in Tarka local government area a neighbouring council to the troubled Buruku Local Government.
Also, reports from Agatu council, where about 50,000 cows were said to have indicated that the herders were still much around.
Ortom, had, on Tuesday, ordered that Fulani herdsmen vacated the state due to incessant crises allegedly orchestrated by herders, leading to several person being killed since 2013.
The attack on some communities in Buruku and Gboko last week left about 30 persons dead.
The Agatu council sole administrator, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor; Mike Inalegwu and Terver Akase respectively told Sunday Tribune that the exit order was not meant for all herdsmen, but only the armed herders.
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Bashir Makama, however, said that “the herders are moving away gradually.”
Efforts to get the Special Adviser to the governor, Colonel Edward Jando, to speak on the issue were not successful.