Open grazing: Armed herdsmen attack livestock guards in Benue

In the Kwua hamlet behind Makurdi Modern Market, over the weekend, members of the Benue Livestock Guards nearly avoided death at the hands of armed herdsmen.

The attack happened after several cattle that had grazed on nearby fields and the livestock guards seized damaged crops.

Around 5:00 p.m. on Friday, herders brought their cattle into the neighborhood to graze, sparking the start of the problem. Following a tip, the guards confronted the herders and seized the cattle.

An eyewitness claims: “But the herders went and mobilised their brothers and friends, armed with guns and knives, they came back for the BSLG personnel who were moving the impounded cattle to a designated government confinement centre pending the arrival of their owners.

“They intercepted and confronted the guards close to the Makurdi Modern Market gate, shooting sporadically and cutting people with knives to forcefully recover the impounded cattle. In the process, several people, including livestock guards, sustained serious injuries.

“The crisis created pandemonium in the area as people scampered to safety while commercial and business activities were disrupted.”

The eyewitness added that the armed herdsmen and their allies successfully reclaimed the impounded animals despite the police’s deployment to the area.

The incident was verified by Chief Joseph Har, the governor of Benue State’s special adviser on internal security.

According to Har, a raid was carried out on Saturday morning, leading to the apprehension of multiple individuals.

According to him: “The Benue State Internal Security, in collaboration with the police, raided the Wadata abattoir and Awe Street in Makurdi on June 15, 2024.

“This followed the previous day’s assault and obstruction by hoodlums from Wadata after the Livestock Guards apprehended cattle grazing on farms along the riverbank but were attacked by about 60 armed youths at the Modern Market gate.”

According to Har, all cattle breeders in the state are required to abide by the Anti-Open Grazing and Ranch Establishment Law, which is not directed towards the Fulani people.

He expressed concern about young people using weapons to rebel against government leaders.

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