NYSC suspends orientation course in Benue and Taraba states due to Herdsmen attack

 

  The 2017 Batch “B” Stream ll Orientation Course scheduled to hold later this year in all states, has been suspended in Taraba and Benue States by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Management.

   According to NYSC, a new date will be communicated to all Prospective Corps Members deployed to Benue and Taraba States, as the agency regrets all inconveniences. The announcement by NYSC came after herdsmen attack in the affected states, that left hundreds dead. Recall that we also reported that the National Vice President of Miyetti Allah Cattle Herders Association, Husaini Yusuf Bosso, issued out a warning to the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, telling him to expect more bloodshed.

   According to  Husaini Yusuf Bosso, the attack and more to come was due to the anti-grazing law  Governor Ortom instituted, and will only stop if it is scrapped. Sunnews reports that he went further to say that before the law came, herders have been sorting out their issues with farmers in the state but the Governor enacted the law without consulting stakeholders.

    The association wrote a letter to him, even met him.  We told him that this law cannot work. We told them that there is an international cattle route from Niger to Eastern Nigeria. He said he will not allow cattle to pass through Benue state even if it is the cattle route.

   We told him that if he wants to implement that law, he must provide a land for us to rent. He did not provide any land for cattle herders. They have been in that state even before colonial days and co-existing peacefully. We advised him and he refused to listen to us. We are not against that law but he has to provide a land for these people before implementing such a law. If there is no land, there is a problem.

   The civilian Joint Task Force that he introduced are inflicting pain on the Fulani herdsmen. They    attack and seize their animals. They drag them to the nearest police station where huge amount of money is collected before they are granted bail. .

  This is the cause of this problem. If you attack a cattle herder and collect his cattle, he has no choice but to attack. The law is saying that herdsmen should not pass through the state even if it’s a route to another area. .

   In the past , if there was damage by the cattle , we had ways to settle the matter. When you damage a farm, you have to beg the owner , if they refuse, you pay for the damages.
This has worked for us for years till Benue State decided to implement the anti-grazing law. We have challenged the law in court and till court decides which way forward, Ortom will be held responsible for any further bloodshed” he said.