Benue to strengthen anti-grazing law for stiffer punishment of violators

In spite of demands in certain quarters that the Benue State anti-open grazing law be repealed, Governor Samuel Ortom has hinted that the state government will strengthen the law to include stiffer punishment for its violators.

Ortom, who stated this yesterday while speaking with newsmen after the State Security Council Meeting in Makurdi, the state capital, added that the law on cultism and kidnapping would also be strengthened.

He said that State Security Council had constituted a committee to identify areas in the laws that needed to be reinforced for effective enforcement.

The governor said the council resolved that the anti-open grazing, kidnappings and cultism laws would be strengthened, adding, “We have taken far reaching decisions, especially in the area of strengthening our laws right from the open grazing prohibition and ranches law to ensure that those who trespass it receive stiffer punishment.

“We also resolved to boost the laws on kidnappings and cultism to be more effective so that we are able to reduce kidnappings to the barest minimum in the state.”

He further assured that the state government was on top of the security situation in the state, noting that a committee has been set up to critically look into sections of the law that needed amendments.

Ortom acknowledged the encouraging performance of security agents in fighting crime and banditry in Benue State, pointing out that his earlier comment on security agencies being over-stretched was misunderstood.

According to him, his comment was aimed at encouraging the authorities concerned to do more in providing better equipment, additional personnel and funding to enable security agents to perform their duties effectively.

On the recent attack in parts of Kwande Council Area, Ortom said council agreed on the best way to handle the situation to guarantee safety of lives and property in the area.

Ortom explained that he was misrepresented over his comment that security outfits were overstretched, adding that he did not mean to discredit the work of security operatives in the state, but rather his comment was meant to encourage them to do more.