Some Benue residents took to the street on Friday to protest against the establishment of Ruga Farm Settlements for Herders.
The protesters, carrying various placards, insisted there are laws regulating the activities of herdsmen as passed by the state legislative arm and must be respected.
The President of the Youth Congress (BYC) who led one of the protests said: “We are out marching on Benue streets this morning to protest the said plan of the federal government of Nigeria to establish Ruga settlement in Benue state.
“Benue state has recorded a lot of herdsmen crises. When we heard the establishment of Ruga for herdsmen to come and settle with us, we are out here this morning to say that we reject this,” he said.
Federal Government had said the establishment of Ruga settlements in the country would stop open grazing by herdsmen and end herdsmen-farmers’ clashes across the country.
Federal Government said the settlements have been approved by President Muhammadu Buhari and had started in 12 states adding that it would allow herdsmen to stay in specific areas, where they could graze their animals.