Fear Grip Benue over Heavily Armed Herdsmen Influx

BENUE State Government on Wednesday raised the alarm of massive deployment of cows into the state.

The state Deputy Governor, Benson Abounu, who disclosed this to journalists in Makurdi said 376 cows have been impounded for flouting the state anti-open grazing law.  Abounu said that state livestock guards apprehended the cows between January 23 and 26, 2021 at Kasima in the Guma Local Government Area of the state.

While stating that six herdsmen have also been arrested and handed over to police, the deputy governor expressed worry over the influx of herdsmen to the River Benue in Agatu and Gwer West axis of the state.

The deputy governor explained that the State Security Council members confirmed the massive deployment of armed herdsmen.

He said, “While we are still investigating the declaration made by Nasarawa State Governor of the presence of Boko Haram at Benue/Nasarawa border, we noticed massive deployment of herdsmen on the brink of River Benue.

“We also observed that a good number of these people are heavily armed; many of them with AK47 rifles. As if this was not enough, we have been able to apprehend a good number of them in a village called Kasima in Guma Local Government Area.

“On January 23, 156 cows belonging to these herdsmen were apprehended, and on the 26 of this month, another 220 cows were apprehended from the same vicinity.