A wave of public support has surged across Nigeria’s social media space in response to the Benue State House of Assembly’s renewed push to enforce the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of 2017 and to enact legislation allowing citizens to lawfully defend themselves from violent attacks.
This call follows a disturbing rise in deadly herdsmen-related attacks in the state, most recently in Yelwata, where civil society groups say over 712 people have lost their lives in 2025 alone. The most recent massacre, which reportedly claimed 110 lives, has triggered outrage nationwide and fueled renewed demand for immediate security intervention.
The Benue Assembly, blaming the federal government’s weak security response, has declared three days of mourning and asked residents to prepare to defend themselves within the law. Lawmakers reaffirmed their commitment to the anti-open grazing law and demanded its urgent and full enforcement by Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration.
Social media reactions have been swift and intense. Many Nigerians expressed support for the Assembly’s firm stance, with users calling it a bold move to restore peace and protect livelihoods. One online commenter stated, “If this law is fully enforced, the killings will stop. Farmers will finally return to their land without fear of being murdered or having their crops destroyed by cattle.”
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Others emphasized that self-defence is no longer optional. “The people of Benue have suffered for too long. If the security forces can’t protect them, they must be allowed to protect themselves,” another post read.
The Assembly’s call has also reignited debates around the enforcement of the 2017 law. Despite its existence, herdsmen attacks have continued largely unchecked. Protesters who recently demonstrated over the ongoing violence were released by police after lawmakers defended their constitutional right to protest, further intensifying the spotlight on the state’s security challenges.
An eyewitness account from the recent attack revealed a chilling picture of coordinated violence. “It was a two-phase strike. One group targeted herdsmen, while the other group was setting homes ablaze and slaughtering residents. The security operatives were overwhelmed and caught off-guard,” the witness said.
Beyond the human cost, concerns are growing over the long-term economic impact. Benue, widely known as the “food basket of the nation,” plays a critical role in Nigeria’s agricultural output. Many fear that continued attacks on farming communities will lead to a deeper food crisis and further inflation, worsening the country’s fragile economy.
As Nigeria grapples with worsening insecurity, the voices backing Benue’s legislative measures are growing louder. The question now remains whether the government, both at the state and federal level will act decisively before more lives and livelihoods are lost.
Keywords:Benue Assembly’s call for self-defence
Synonyms : Benue killings, anti-open grazing law, self-defence law Nigeria, Hyacinth Alia, herdsmen attacks, Benue State Assembly, food crisis Nigeria, open grazing ban, Benue protests, Yelwata massacre, Nigeria insecurity, farmers vs herders conflict.