Benue State Government has announced the suspension of livestock guards for a period of two weeks.
The State Governor, Samuel Ortom disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing newsmen on the resolution of the security council meeting held at the government house, Makurdi.
Ortom said that the action became necessary to allow for a reduction in the influx of cattle into the State.
He said it is part of a measure to ensure that all those who came in with cattle leave so that the people can have peace.
“The council frowns at the rustling of cattle by Indigenes and urges security agencies to apprehend any culprit.
“It also, observed and condemned the act of connivance with youths, traditional rulers and stakeholders to rustle cattle and called on security agencies to apprehend such persons no matter how highly placed.
“We have allowed the suspension of livestock guards for two weeks so that those who came with their cattle to go back and allow our people to stay in peace.
“We commend security agencies for being proactive. We urge our Volunteer Guards to be on good behaviour. We condemn any unholy alliance of some of our youths to rustle cattle of Herdsmen.
“We condemn acts of some traditional rulers and stakeholders who are found wanting and charge sec agencies to apprehend anyone involved in this act. No one should be harassed for doing their business. All those conniving with Fulani Herdsmen to engage in unholy act shd be brought to book.
Ortom also commended the President for condoling with the Benue people as well as directing security agencies to apprehend perpetrators of this act.
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