Benue Signs Anti-Open Grazing Bill Into Law

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom on Monday signed the Anti-Open Grazing, Anti-Kidnapping, Abduction, Cultism and Terrorism Bill into law.

The governor, while signing the bill, lamented the loss of lives and destruction of property during clashes between herdsmen and farmers over the years, adding that the law would put an end to the incessant attacks.

“Now that the bill has been signed into law, the law will take its course on anyone that goes against it,” Ortom said.

He further added that security operatives have been directed to arrest and prosecute any farmer or herdsman found carrying arms and that any violator could serve a jail  term of up to five years or be given an option of N1 million fine or both.

On the Anti-Kidnapping, Abduction and Cultism Bill, the governor said the essence is to rid the entire state of any form of criminality.

“Kidnappers will, henceforth, be sentenced to death upon conviction while volunteer hostages will be jailed 10 years,” he explained.

He further disclosed that convicted cultists are to face ten years in jail without an option of fine.