Benue Muslim Community Express Support For Anti-Open Grazing Law

In the spirit of the religious harmony in Benue state, the Muslim community in the state has thrown its weight behind the anti-open grazing law enacted by the State Government.

Giving the position of the community, Wednesday at the Benue Peoples’ House, Makurdi while breaking the Ramadan fast with Governor Samuel Ortom, leader of the community, Sheik Ibrahim Aliyu said those criticizing the law were ignorant of the content and intent of the law, adding that it is not targeted against any particular ethnic group, faith or sect.

Sheik Aliyu said that Muslims in the state who know the extent of the carnage and destruction done to lives and properties in the state by armed herdsmen stand solidly behind Governor Samuel Ortom and explained that the law is put in place to safeguard the lives and properties of people of the state.

He disclosed that the Muslim Umma in the state would soon undertake a tour of the far North to explain the content and intent of the law to fellow Muslims who are being misled to attack Governor Ortom.

Responding, Governor Ortom who was represented by his deputy, Engr Benson Abounu thanked the Muslim community for standing up for truth and supporting the honest attempt by the state government to tackle the incessant farmers/herders clashes in the state.

He stated that the enactment of the law is the best thing to do; adding that inspite of the threats and criticisms from certain quarters, there is no going back on its implementation.

Governor Ortom praised the excellent relationship between Christians and Muslims in the state and stated that there is no reason for adherents of the two faiths in the state to fight.

He state that those killing and destroying lives and properties are not true Muslims or Christians as the two faiths preach peace and good neighbourliness.

There were goodwill messages from the Christian Assocition of Nigeria (CAN) led by Rev. Augustine Akpen Leva; Special adviser to the Governor on Religious Affairs and Civil Society - Rev Joseph Ogezi and Alhaji Isah Usman, Special adviser to the Governor on Research, Project Monitoring and Evaluation.