Troops Arrest Two Herders, Seize Livestock in Benue: Context, Operations, and the Path to Peace

In a significant security operation in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region, joint forces comprising troops and police apprehended two suspected herders and confiscated 39 animals in Benue State. This incident, occurring in Agwabi Village, Buruku Local Government Area (LGA), is not an isolated event but a direct manifestation of the state’s stringent anti-open grazing law and the persistent, often violent, farmer-herder conflicts that have plagued the region for years. This article provides a comprehensive, SEO-optimized breakdown of the operation, its legal basis, the historical background of the conflict, analysis of security strategies, and practical guidance for stakeholders.

Introduction: A Snapshot of the Operation

On a Tuesday afternoon in February 2026, a coordinated security response was launched in Agwabi Village, Buruku LGA, following a formal complaint. The operation resulted in the arrest of Ali Abubakar and Yahaya Bello and the seizure of 22 cows and 17 sheep. The suspects and livestock were transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further processing. This action, led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Buruku and involving multiple security agencies, underscores Benue State’s commitment to enforcing its 2017 anti-open grazing law—a legislation designed to mitigate clashes between sedentary farmers and nomadic pastoralists by prohibiting open grazing and establishing ranching frameworks.

Key Points: What You Need to Know

• Incident: Joint security forces arrested two herders and seized 39 livestock (22 cows, 17 sheep) in Agwabi Village, Buruku LGA, Benue State.
• Trigger: The operation was prompted by a complaint from the Buruku LGA Chairman, Raymond Aondoakura Zege, reporting illegal grazing activities.
• Security Composition: The patrol team included police officers, soldiers, operatives of Operation Anyam Nyor (a state security outfit), and Benue State Civil Protection Guards.
• Legal Basis: The action is enforcement of the Benue State Anti-Open Grazing and Ranch Establishment Law (2017), which bans open grazing in designated areas.
• Objective: To prevent potential farmer-herder conflicts and maintain law and order by strictly enforcing grazing regulations.
• Next Steps: Arrested suspects and confiscated animals are in CID custody for investigation and possible prosecution under the state law.

Background: The Chronic Crisis of Farmer-Herder Conflicts in Nigeria

To understand this operation, one must contextualize it within Nigeria’s decades-long farmer-herder conflicts, some of the most lethal in Africa. These clashes, primarily in the Middle Belt (like Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa) and increasingly in the Northwest, revolve around competition for arable land, water resources, and grazing routes. Climate change, desertification, and population growth have exacerbated pressure on resources.

The Genesis of the Benue Anti-Open Grazing Law

Benue State, often called the “Food Basket of the Nation,” is predominantly agricultural. Years of violent incursions by armed herders, often alleged to be from the Fulani ethnic group, resulted in massive loss of lives, farms, and displacements. In response, the state government enacted the Benue State Anti-Open Grazing and Ranch Establishment Law in 2017. The law prohibits open grazing, mandates the establishment of ranches, and provides for the seizure of animals found grazing illegally. It was a legislative attempt to transform nomadic pastoralism into settled ranching, aiming to end the destructive cycle of crop destruction and retaliatory attacks.

Operation Anyam Nyor: The State’s Security Arm

Operation Anyam Nyor (Tiv phrase meaning “Don’t Tread on Me”) is a state government-funded security outfit specifically created to enforce the anti-grazing law and protect farmers. Its operatives work in conjunction with conventional security agencies (police, military) and local vigilante groups (like the Civil Protection Guards). Their presence is a clear signal of the state’s resolve to implement its law, often in areas where federal security forces are stretched thin.

Analysis: Deconstructing the Operation and Its Implications

The Buruku operation is a textbook example of the enforcement mechanism for the Benue grazing law. Its analysis reveals tactical coordination, legal procedures, and the complex socio-political dynamics at play.

Operational Tactics and Inter-Agency Coordination

The response demonstrates a model of joint security operations in Nigeria. The DPO, acting on intelligence from a local government chairman, assembled a mixed team. This blend is strategic:

• Police (DPO/CID): Lead in investigation, arrest, and prosecution under state law.
• Military (Troops): Provides deterrence, firepower, and mobility for operations in potentially volatile rural areas.
• Operation Anyam Nyor: Brings specialized knowledge of the grazing law and local terrain/pastoralist patterns.
• Civil Protection Guards: Local vigilantes who provide community intelligence and immediate neighborhood security.

This structure aims to maximize legitimacy, intelligence, and operational effectiveness while sharing the burden among different entities.

Legal and Procedural Dimensions

The procedure followed appears standard:

1. Information: A complaint from an elected official (LGA Chairman) provided the actionable intelligence.
2. Deployment: The DPO, as the chief security officer at the local government level, authorized and led the patrol.
3. Arrest & Seizure: Suspects were apprehended at the scene of the alleged crime (illegal grazing). Livestock, considered evidence of the offense, were confiscated.
4. Custody & Investigation: Transfer to the CID indicates a shift from tactical operation to criminal investigation. The CID will likely take statements, verify ownership of animals, and prepare a case file for the Ministry of Justice to prosecute.

Potential Legal Charges: The suspects will likely face charges under the Benue State Anti-Open Grazing Law, which prescribes penalties including fines, forfeiture of livestock, and possible imprisonment. If violence or theft of crops is alleged, additional charges under the penal code could apply.

Community Dynamics and the Role of Local Leadership

The involvement of the Buruku LGA Chairman is critical. It illustrates a key success factor for such operations: community buy-in and political will at the grassroots level. When local leaders actively report violations and support enforcement, it legitimizes the security action and reduces accusations of bias or persecution. The subsequent statement from local leaders framing the operation as a conflict-prevention measure is a crucial piece of narrative warfare, aiming to portray the law as a neutral tool for public safety rather than an ethnic-targeting instrument.

Broader Implications for the Farmer-Herder Conflict

This incident has several implications:

• Deterrence Signal: It sends a clear message to herders operating in Benue that illegal grazing carries immediate consequences.
• Testing the Law’s Enforcement: It tests the operational capacity and consistency of the joint security apparatus in enforcing a controversial law across vast rural areas.
• Potential Flashpoint: While intended to prevent conflict, such seizures can sometimes trigger retaliatory actions or protests by herder communities if not handled with utmost professionalism and transparency.
• Economic Impact: For the herders arrested, the loss of livestock represents a catastrophic economic blow, as animals are their primary capital. This underscores the need for aranching policy that provides viable economic alternatives.

The operation’s long-term success will be measured not by this single seizure, but by its contribution to a sustained reduction in violent clashes and the eventual transition to ranching.

Practical Advice: Guidance for Farmers, Herders, and authorities

Based on this incident and the overarching legal framework, here is actionable advice for all stakeholders.

For Farmers and Farming Communities:

• Document Crop Damage: If herders graze on your farm, immediately document the damage (photos, videos, list of destroyed crops) and report to the nearest police station or Operation Anyam Nyor outpost. A formal report is essential for legal action.
• Utilize Official Channels: Encourage community leaders to report illegal grazing through proper channels (LGA Chairman, DPO) rather than resorting to self-help or vigilantism, which escalates violence.
• Join Community Watch: Participate in and support legally constituted local security groups (like Civil Protection Guards) that work with state security forces.

For Herders and Pastoralist Associations:

• Understand the Law: Familiarize yourself with the Benue State Anti-Open Grazing Law. Ignorance is not a defense. The law clearly prohibits open grazing in the state.
• Secure Ranching Arrangements: The only legal way to operate in Benue is through established ranches or with explicit, documented permission from a landowner for transit corridors (if such a system is formally recognized). Invest in or accessranching facilities.
• Engage in Dialogue: Pastoralist associations should engage with state government committees on ranching development to voice challenges and seek solutions for grazing reserves and livestock markets.
• Maintain Peaceful Conduct: Any report of armed escorts or violence during grazing will lead to severe legal consequences beyond the grazing law.

For Security Agencies (Police, Military, Operation Anyam Nyor):

• Ensure Professionalism and Neutrality: Operations must be based on intelligence and law, not ethnicity. Treat all suspects humanely and according to the law to avoid claims of victimization.
• Chain of Custody: Meticulously maintain the chain of custody for seized livestock as evidence. Improper handling can weaken prosecution.
• Community Relations: Use operations as opportunities for community engagement. Explain the legal basis to local populations to build trust.
• Intelligence-Led Policing: Develop reliable human and technical intelligence networks to identify illegal grazing patterns and armed groups, moving beyond reactive patrols.

For the Benue State Government and Policymakers:

• Accelerate Ranch Development: The law’s success hinges on providing practical, affordable ranch alternatives. Fast-track the establishment of government and private ranches with supporting infrastructure (water, fodder, veterinary services).
• Strengthen Judicial Process: Ensure swift prosecution of grazing law offenders to create a credible deterrent. This requires training for judges and prosecutors on the specific law.
• Promote Dialogue Platforms: Fund and sustain regular dialogues between farmer unions (like T farmers’ associations) and pastoralist groups to resolve minor disputes before they escalate.
• Address Root Causes: Invest in climate-resilient agriculture in the North and water conservation projects in the Sahel to reduce the pressure for southward migration of herders.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About the Benue Grazing Law and Operations

What exactly is the Benue State Anti-Open Grazing Law?

Enacted in 2017, it prohibits the open grazing of livestock in Benue State. It mandates the establishment of ranches for animal husbandry and provides for the seizure of animals found grazing illegally. The law aims to end violent conflicts between farmers and herders, protect farmlands, and promote modern animal husbandry practices.

Is open grazing illegal in all of Nigeria?

No. Grazing laws are state-specific. While Benue, Ekiti, and some other states have enacted anti-open grazing laws, other states, particularly in the North, may have different or no such laws. The federal government has proposed a National Grazing Bill but it remains contentious and unimplemented at the national level.

What happens to the seized livestock?

According to the Benue law, seized livestock are held as evidence. After a suspect is convicted in court, the animals are typically forfeited to the state government. They may be auctioned, with proceeds going to the state treasury, or sometimes allocated to approved ranch facilities. The owner loses all rights to the animals upon forfeiture.

Can herders transit through Benue State with their cattle?

The law is strict. Open transit grazing is prohibited. For herders moving cattle through Benue, the only legal option is to have the animals confined in vehicles or to use officially designated and agreed-upon transit corridors (a concept that has been proposed but is not widely implemented). Unconfined animals on the move are considered to be “grazing” and are liable to seizure.

What are the penalties for violating the law?

The law stipulates penalties which may include:

• Payment of fines.
• Forfeiture of the livestock involved.
• Imprisonment for a term stipulated by the law (often several months).
• Liability for any damages caused to farmland.

The exact sentence is at the discretion of the court, considering the circumstances.

Why involve the military (“troops”) in what seems like a police matter?

Farmer-herder clashes in Nigeria often involve heavily armed groups and can quickly escalate into large-scale violence. The military is involved to:

• Provide a deterrent effect against armed resistance.
• Secure the operational area in case of a violent counter-attack.
• Support the police in areas where police capacity is overwhelmed or the terrain is difficult.

Their role is to provide security for the police operation, not to lead the investigation or prosecution, which remains a police function.

Conclusion: Beyond Seizures Toward Sustainable Solutions

The arrest of two herders and seizure of 39 animals in Buruku is a microcosm of the Benue State government’s enforcement strategy. It is a necessary, though insufficient, step in upholding the rule of law and protecting citizens’ livelihoods. While such operations can create short-term deterrence, they are inherently reactive. The ultimate solution lies in a proactive, multi-pronged approach: the vigorous and equitable implementation of the ranching policy to provide economic alternatives for pastoralists, the strengthening of judicial systems to ensure swift and fair justice, sustained community dialogue to build trust, and addressing the underlying drivers of resource competition, including climate change and population growth. Without parallel progress on these fronts, security operations will remain a recurring, and potentially escalatory, feature of life in Benue and other conflict-prone states. The goal must shift from perpetual conflict management to the creation of a sustainable, peaceful, and prosperous agricultural and pastoral economy.

Sources and Further Reading

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