The leadership of the Benue State Livestock Guards has reacted to report that one of its members was arrested in Ukum Local Government Area by ‘Exercise Cat Race’ for cattle rustling. The state Commandant of the Guard Force, Alhaji Aliyu Tershaku who spoke to newsmen said the Benue State Government established the Livestock Guards but does not arm its members. He explained that the role of the group was merely to help conventional security agencies in the implementation of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law 2017.
“We therefore find the statement credited to Major Olabisi Ayeni as a fabrication and deliberate attempt to find a reason to blame the Benue State Government for sponsoring militia.
“We also wish to make it clear that members of the Benue State Livestock Guards do not engage in any form of cattle rustling. Instead, the Livestock Guards, since establishment of the organisation, have contributed greatly in preventing cases of cattle rustling in different parts of the state according to section 20 of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of Benue State.
“We urge the public to disregard the allegation in its entirety as it is part of the conspiracy to give a dog a bad name in order to hang it.”
Recall that the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 707 Special Forces Brigade, Major Olabisi, had alleged that the apprehended suspect was also involved in gun running business.
