CAN president donates relief materials worth N7 million in Benue

National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Rev (Dr) Olasupo Ayokunle, has announced the donation of N7m worth of relief materials to those affected by herdsmen attacks in Benue State.

Ayokunle, who paid a courtesy call on Governor Samuel Ortom, yesterday, at Benue People’s House, Makurdi, condemned incessant attacks on Benue communities by herdsmen and commended the governor for championing the campaign on ranching of cattle. He explained that he came to the state to commiserate with the governor and the people.

He called for God’s intervention, so that the embarrassing impunity would stop and expressed delight that the anti-grazing bill has been passed by the State House of Assembly.

According to him, the bill would put an end to unwarranted killings and destruction of property, land and crops.

Ayokunle called on other states to emulate Benue and disclosed that he had visited Southern Kaduna to identify with victims of attacks.

He said he would be visiting Enugu to also identify with victims of similar attacks and stressed the need for justice, fair play and respect for all the ethnic groups, so that peace would reign in Nigeria.

Responding, Governor Ortom thanked the CAN president for identifying with Benue people at the time the anti-grazing bill was being passed by the lawmaking body, and asked for support of the Body of Christ.

He wondered why cattle should be allowed to roam freely in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory and asked those insisting on grazing to have a rethink, as only the modern practice of ranching would be suitable for Nigeria, which now has a population of over 180 million.