Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has attributed the limited enforcement of the state’s 2017 anti-open grazing law to the overwhelming firepower of armed herder militias compared to the poorly equipped local security operatives tasked with implementation.
In a formal response to mounting public criticism from civil society groups, particularly the Benue Advocacy Network, Governor Alia, through his Chief Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo, stated that the State Protection Guards, the agency responsible for enforcing the law, are legally restricted to using Dane guns, while herders and their militias openly carry military-grade rifles such as AK-47s and AK-49s.
“The governor has been very open about the problem of implementing the anti-open grazing law, because the enforcers… are not permitted to bear arms except licensed guns,” the statement read.
“But the unfortunate development is that these herdsmen are being protected by their militias who carry AK-47 and AK-49 rifles, even while grazing cattle.”
Alia expressed concern over the safety and capacity of the State Protection Guards, pointing out that even Mobile Police (MOPOL) units—who are better trained and equipped—have suffered casualties at the hands of these militias.
“If MOPOL could not arrest these armed herders, is it the State Protection Guards who don’t have access to sophisticated weapons that will do?” he asked rhetorically.
The governor further argued that the anti-open grazing law would only yield meaningful results if adopted at the national level, which would empower conventional security agencies with broader enforcement authority across state lines.
He highlighted the difficulties posed by the law’s lack of national reach, citing instances where offenders escape into neighbouring Nasarawa State, where the law does not apply, thereby escaping prosecution and rendering enforcement efforts futile.
The governor’s remarks were in response to a strongly worded statement issued by the Benue Advocacy Network, a civic group led by President Enoch Ortese, which questioned the effectiveness of the state government’s approach to governance, transparency, and security amid worsening attacks on rural communities.
The group noted a sharp increase in internally displaced persons (IDPs) despite the governor’s campaign promise to return displaced residents to their ancestral homes within 100 days of taking office. Instead, it alleged that the administration had expanded temporary shelter camps.
“Instead of fulfilling his promise… the governor has constructed additional camps and tents for the displaced people,” the group stated, demanding a clear and actionable plan for their safe resettlement.
The advocacy group also raised transparency concerns, questioning the use of monthly security votes, the absence of completed infrastructure projects, and the lack of local government autonomy. It called on the administration to publish financial receipts and expenditure reports, along with the details and costs of all awarded contracts.
In defense of his administration’s financial record, Governor Alia noted that he had successfully cleared six out of seven months of salary arrears inherited from the previous administration, asserting his government’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and long-term infrastructural development.
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