This followed the assent to the Open Grazing Prohibition Bill 2017 as passed by the Benue State House of Assembly.
The bill, which was signed by Governor SAMUEL ORTOM yesterday, prescribes five-year jail term for herdsmen caught engaging in open grazing of animals in the state.
The law was introduced as part of measures to check the frequent deadly clashes between local farmers and nomadic herdsmen.
Alternatively; the law encourages large-scale livestock and crop farming in a secure environment, with the Ministry of Agriculture empowered to administer and regulate livestock production in the state.
Performing the ceremony during a stakeholders meeting at the Government House in Makurdi, Governor ORTOM said it was also illegal under the new law for livestock owners or farmers to bear firearms.
Governor ORTOM also signed the Anti-Kidnapping and Terrorism Law, which prescribes the death penalty for offenders.
