Benue Reps caucus flay Dambazzau over herdsmen inaction

Members of the Benue state caucus of the House of Representatives yesterday flayed the Minister of Interior, Lt Gen Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd), over his failure to establish security outposts to ward off killer herdsmen from the state.

At a joint press conference in Abuja, the caucus wondered why Dambazau is yet to keep his promise to establish mobile police units within the axis of Benue State where there is high prevalence of farmers herders clashes.

A member of the caucus, Mr Adamu Entonu, who hails from Agatu axis of the state, which was once at the receiving end of the nefarious activities of killer herdsmen, claimed the minister is yet to request for budgetary votes for the establishment of the mobile police units since he made the pledge three years ago.

This, he said speaks volume of the fact that the federal government lacks the political will to nip in the bud the menace of killer herdsmen in the state.

Mr. John Dyegh representing Gboko Federal constituency frowned at the threat allegedly issued by the youth wing of the Fulani socio-cultural organisation, Miyetti-Allah.

He assured that the people of Benue would resist any move by killer herdsmen to cause mayhem in their state.The caucus restated their support for the anti-open grazing law passed into law by the Governor Samuel Ortom-led administration. 

Mr Dickson Taki representing Guma /Makurdi federal constituency of the state said the anti-open grazing law was in the interest of both farmers and hersmen in the state.

Claiming that no fewer than 5000 persons lost their lives in the farmers /hersmen clashes in recent years, he said those who find the law unbearable should stay away from Benue state for peace to reign. 

He said herdsmen are bound to obey the law just like the way Nigerians were forced to abide by the provisions of the Sharia law put in place by Zamfara state when Ahmed Yerima held sway that’d.  prohibited prostitution and consumption of alcohol beverages.