Benue massacre: Miyetti Allah finally breaks silence on attacks

The Assistant Secretary of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, Benue state chapter, Ibrahim Galma has explained that his people are yet to get used to the newly-enacted anti-open grazing law in Benue State because of the level of their illiteracy.

 

Galma, a graduate of Animal Science, who spoke on behalf of the leadership of the association in the state, disclosed that proper sensitization remained one of the panaceas to the nagging clashes between farmers and cattle breeders in Nigeria.

He told Vanguard that, “We must continue to sensitize the herder, you know that our level of education is another challenge but there is always a solution to every problem. Government has to invest in advocacy and sensitization to prepare the herdsmen.

“Like I said earlier, we could start with semi ranching system backed with intensive sensitization of the herdsmen, gradually we will get to full ranching which I also believe is a good model for breeding cows but we could take it one step after another until it is fully achieved. I have nothing against ranching as a person because it is the best way to go but let’s not do it overnight.

“It could be introduced gradually with aggressive campaign and sensitization. Ranching is the best way to go but we need the enabling environment for it to be a reality. The Federal government has to step in for it to work. I believe that at the end of the day the issue would be permanently addressed.

“In Benue state at the moment we are also faced with the challenge of abiding strictly by the provisions of the Open Grazing Prohibition Law. Our people are yet to get used to the new law because of our literacy level so we will need a loot of sensitization and advocacy.”