Senate slams minister over anti- grazing law comment

The Senate yesterday berated the Defence Minister, Brig.- Gen Dan Ali Mansur, for alleging that anti- grazing laws operating in Taraba, Benue and Ekiti states are fueling incessant killings in the land and as such, should be suspended.
The upper legislative chamber consequently urged the minister to withdraw his statement immediately as incessant killings in the land predated the promulgation of the law.
Mansur had on Tuesday in Abuja after a marathon meeting President Buhari had with Security Chiefs, told State House Correspondents, that one of the issues observed at the meeting was the anti- grazing laws promulgated and being implemented in some states.
According to him, “For giving peace a chance, implementation of anti- grazing laws in the affected states will have to be suspended since both farmers and herdsmen have constitutional right to land.”
Drawing the attention of the Senate to the comment, Senator Barnabas Gemade (APC, Benue North East) through a point of order, expressed worry that the minister and other security chiefs seemed to be chasing shadows rather than substance as far as incessant killings in the land were concerned.
Gemade, who came on orders 42 and 52 of the Senate standing rules bordering on matters of public importance, lamented on how not less than 7 people were gruesomely murdered in Kwande local government area of Benue state on Monday, saying the anti – gracing laws as promulgated by the affected states, are meant to prevent clashes between farmers and herdsmen on the use of land.
According to him, it is very worrisome that rather than supporting the affected states in the implementation of the trouble shooting laws, security chiefs like the defence minister, would be calling for their suspension or proscription.
“Going by the frightening security arena the Nation finds itself , Nigeria is no doubt under siege of satanic forces being called several names from Boko Haram to armed herdsmen, bandits and cattle rustlers who in their dastardly acts, not only killed innocent people but maimed and rape women and children.
“The comment no doubt shows that the Minister and by extension, other security chiefs have wrong sense of judgement on the crises at hand and ignorant of the provisions of the Land Use Act which empowers the States, power of adjudication and management of land within their territories.
Senators John Enoh (APC, Cross River Central) and Emmanuel Bwacha ( PDP Taraba South) in their separate contributions , supported Gemade’s submissions.
Aside ordering the minister to withdraw his comment against anti – grazing law, as ruled by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki when put to voice votes, a minute silence was also observed for the victims of the latest attack in Benue state .