Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has raised alarm of threats to his life over the recently enacted Open Grazing Prohibition law by his administration.
Ortom, who spoke Saturday in Makurdi, said he had already reported the matter to security agencies for them to arrest those behind..
The governor said: “There are threats to my life because of the grazing law we enacted in the state to ensure peaceful coexistence between our local farmers and herdsmen.
“It is on record. I have also reported the matter to the security agencies that one Gilolo and another of the Miyetti Allah were planning to attack me.
He noted “But I keep saying that life belongs to God. It is only God that gives and takes away life, so my life is not in the hands of Gilolo or any other person who is not happy with the Open Grazing Prohibition Law 2017.
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“If they are not happy, that is not my problem. They cannot take away my life because life belongs to God and not man no matter his position.
“Whether these threats are real or not, they are threats and I have reported it to the Police, and the security agencies are doing the needful. I believe that those behind the threat will be apprehended and brought to book.
“I must keep saying that the grazing law we enacted in Benue state which came from the people to stem the killings in our rural communities and it was not targeted at any group, persons or individuals, neither was it intended to chase anyone out of the state.
“It was intended to ensure the protection of both farmers and herders and their cattle, so I see no reason why anyone will pick issues with the government and people of Benue state over a law that guarantees the peace and security of everyone resident in the state.”
