The Fulani socio-cultural group, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, has apologised to Governor Samuel Ortom for the numerous herdsmen attacks and killings recorded in Benue State. The state has recorded the highest number of clash between farmers and herdsmen resulting in the death of many residents in the state.
According to Channels TV, the National Secretary of the association, Saleh Alhassan, tendered the apology at an event in Makurdi, the state capital, today Saturday October 26th. He said Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore regretted the killings in Benue and pledged to ensure peaceful coexistence between herdsmen and farmers in the state going forward.
Alhassan described Governor Ortom as a peace-loving man who stood firmly for the emancipation of his people. He gave assurance that members of the association would embrace the peace initiatives put forward by the governor.
While accepting Alhassan’s apology, Governor Ortom said the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law enacted by the state government, was aimed at ending the killing of innocent people and to encourage ranching as the global best practice of animal husbandry. He added that the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law protect has both farmers and livestock owners, stressing that the law was not targeted at promoting crisis of any kind.
The peace initiative was brokered by the Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyeama, at a wedding reception in the state capital.
