The Benue State House of Assembly has called on the state governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, to ensure full implementation of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches (Establishment) Law, 2017, to end killings of innocent people orchestrated by armed Fulani herdsmen in various parts of the state.

The House condemned in very strong terms the coordinated invasion, massacre, genocide and acts of terrorism against the people of Yelewata and elsewhere in the state by the marauding Fulani herdsmen militia.

The House requested the Governor to declare three days of mourning from Wednesday, June 18 to Friday, 20, 2025, in honour of the innocent people killed by the Fulani herdsmen.

This followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by the member representing Guma 1 State Constituency, Hon. Uche Terwase Peter, informing the House of the wanton destruction of property and killings by armed Fulani herdsmen in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area.

Terwase, who stated this during plenary session held on Tuesday at the Assembly Complex in Makurdi, accused the marauding Fulani herdsmen of using sophisticated weapons, including explosives and fuel to set houses ablaze, where some nuclear and extended families of between five to ten members have been completely wiped out.

Members, who contributed, strongly condemned the recent attacks by herdsmen, describing them as barbaric acts and a form of ethnic cleansing.

They called on the governor to urgently take decisive action to bring a lasting solution to the crisis.

The lawmakers also urged the people of Benue to remain vigilant and be prepared to defend themselves within the bounds of the law, in order to safeguard their lives and property.

The members attributed the killings to the security agencies’ lack of proactivity and urged the governor to enforce the law to help curb the violence in the state.

Also, during plenary, the Local Government Bill 2024 passed through the second reading.

The bill, which seeks to bring effective local government administration by promoting development at the grassroots level of the state was read by the member representing Kyan State Constituency, Hon Terna Shimawua, while the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh, referred it to the House Standing Committee on Local Government, Security and Chieftaincy Affairs for further legislative business.