Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong says he cautioned his colleague, the Benue state governor, Samuel Ortom against the anti-open grazing bill when the idea was being initiated last year.

---

Governor Lalong said Ortom should have first explored the ranching system and made adjustments where necessary, rather than making laws to isolate some section of the society.

The governor said this after a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, on Thursday, January 11.

While reacting to the farmers-herdsmen clashes in Benue and some states of the federation which has led to the death of several persons, the governor said one of the things that have sustained peace in Plateau state, has been wide consultation with the people concerning the ranching policy.

He said majority of Plateau citizens have bought into the idea and have voluntarily donated free lands for the pilot scheme to take off.