MIYETTI ALLAH APOLOGIZES TO ORTOM OVER BENUE KILLINGS

The Fulani Socio-cultural organization, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, has apologized
to Governor Samuel Ortom over herdsmen attacks and killings in the state.
National Secretary of the association, Engr. Saleh Alhassan, who spoke today in
Makurdi during a peace initiative brokered by the Chairman of Air Peace, Chief
Allen Onyeama, expressed regrets of the herder group over the Benue killings and
pledged to ensure peaceful coexistence between herdsmen and farmers moving
forward.
He described Governor Ortom as a peace-loving man who stood firmly for the
emancipation of his people.
The Miyetti Allah scribe gave assurance that members of the group would
embrace the peace initiatives put forward by the Governor.
Responding, Governor Ortom stated that the enactment of the Open Grazing
Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law by Benue State Government was to
end the killing of innocent people and encourage ranching as the global best
practice of animal husbandry.
He stated that any person or ethnic group wishing to rear livestock in the state
was free to come, acquire land and ranch according to provisions of the ranching
law of the state.
The Governor noted that the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment
Law protects both farmers and livestock owners, adding that legislation was not
meant to promote crisis of any kind.
Chief Onyeama had earlier, emphasised the need for peaceful coexistence
between farmers and herders in Benue State, saying he personally brought Alhaji
Saleh to broker peace between Miyetti Allah groups and the people of the state.