Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has stated that he did not refer to the entire Masev lineage of the state as cattle rustlers following the killings in the Wa-ndoo community by armed herders.

Recall that President-General of Masev Development Association, Prof Vitalis Tarhule, had issued a statement on Sunday, “Disappointment and anguished echoes from the hearts of Masev people”, regretting allegations of cattle rustling against Masev people by Alia.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Tersoo Kula Mallam, defended his boss in a press statement on Monday, while reacting to a press statement by Masev Development Association.

Kula said it is regrettable if a section of Masev feels injured by official statements regarding the tragic loss of lives and destruction of property in Wa-ndoo, Mbaikyor, of Mbalom Council Ward, Gwer East Local Government.

“As the Chief Security Officer, the Governor works closely with communities and security organisations, and receives security intelligence and other privileged briefings regularly.

“Masev people cannot as a people be termed cattle rustlers. No! The Governor did not call them so because we are aware of their collective efforts to ensure safety in the land.” he said.

He said the unfortunate crises or attacks at stake came from criminal elements which tend to result in indiscriminate action from criminal herder gangs.

He added that cattle rustling or any mischievous act does not and should not warrant lawlessness especially, to the extent of taking scores of lives and disrupting public order by any individual or group.

“Significantly, the mere presence of open grazing of cattle is an illegality in itself.

“Security operatives are keenly at work and perpetrators of these heinous crimes will surely be apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law,” he added.

Kula said while it has been challenging for security agencies, together with the state government they have adopted extra measures after the “window” for the kinetic approach on all cattle not in ranches to leave the State.

He reiterated that the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law 2017 is fully in force and the government is working closely with security agencies to see to its full enforcement.

He said if rustling is fingered in the latest Mbalom attack, it is not an indictment on Masev people, and a leverage for gangs of herders and their agents.

“It remains the constitutional responsibility of Governor Hyacinth Alia to protect all citizens and their lands, and reference to allegations of rustling does not entail any slack of responsibility or trading blames with the people. No!

“Loss of lives cannot be justified under any account irrespective of whatever is the immediate or remote cause. This again is not a justification of perennial killings caused by militant herdsmen over the years,” he said.

He said the government feels concerned and wishes the National Executive Council of the Masev Development Association, and the entire Masev people not to view the Governor’s remarks as damaging to their integrity.