Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State

Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue has urged traditional rulers to join hands with his administration to maintain peace and security in the state.

Ortom made the call on Tuesday in Makurdi during a 2-day orientation workshop organised by the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

The governor called on them to maintain an `eagle eye’ on security issues because the state belonged to all of them.

He also said there was no land for grazing in Benue, emphasising that the Anti-Open Grazing Law 2017 was still in effect across the state.

He urged them to report defaulters to the law enforcement agencies for appropriate action, according to the News Agency of Nigetia, NAN..

”Any cattle seen roaming in the state will be impounded and their owners will be prosecuted after paying the recommended fine.

”Henceforth, violators of the law will be prosecuted after paying the recommended fines against what usually happens in the past where the herders only pay fines for the impounded cattle and they were released to them,” he said.

He also admonished the traditional rulers to caution their subjects, especially the youths against indulging in thuggery especially during the polls.

The Special Adviser to the governor on Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Jerome Shimbe, commended the governor for expanding and upgrading the traditional institution in the state.

Shimbe further appreciated Ortom for his commitment to welfare of traditional rulers, stressing that he would also ensure that their welfare remained his topmost priority.

The Chairman, Benue Council of Traditional Rulers, Prof. James Ayatse, urged participants at the workshop to support government in its efforts to ensure security in the state.