In a world where wickedness continues to be the order of the day and more and more people continues to establish systems that perpetual evil, it is pertinent for young ancients to continue to enlighten the populace amid the turbulence and quagmire that besets humanity. I mean, this cuts across religious and ethnic affiliation.
It is sad to note however, that only a few minorities are taking note of these subtle changes that are transforming a lot of well meaning individuals into hard-hearted individuals, it is like their conscience has become seared with a hot iron. In a situation where a lot of persons are singled out for probing or persecution in a ethnic diverse society, it calls for recourse.
I dont mean to say that people should not be interrogated on the grounds of fairness and the establishment of justice but it appears that most of these organizations are oblivious to the right tenets or righteous virtues already existing in the land.
Please, bear a little with me as I bring to you what continues to trouble me in a land where peace and unity is supposed to be the order of the day but the opposite is being seen. We sing about unity, peace and progress daily but it is shocking to notice that most of this talk is theoretically based and not practical to say the least.
Those that are supposed to be leaders seem to be the ones perverting justice and distorting all that is right in the society. I feel sad as I write this article and I am hoping to pour out my burden peradventure, it might reach the ears of those who may enforce the right virtues as nowadays; it appears that nothing good thrives but what is bad or false.
Now, there is this thing that is troubling but many people seem to be silent about it and that is the issue of capturing peoples goats, sheep and cattle by the open grazing task force in the state. I mean, in Benue State of Nigeria. This issue is becoming serious as everybody has begun to feel it because, if you are not entangled yourself; your relation is held sway.
Just recently, the task force came around our neighbourhood and caught away many goats of which I was affected as well. We had to go to the office to resolve the issue by paying N 3000 per goat. In my case, 3 goats were captured and we had to pay N 9000 for them.
As if that was not enough, this week again, 3 of our goats were taken again and another N 9000 has been given to the task force so that the goats can be released. It may appear as though I was careless but there is something that is most worrisome in all of these and that is, where is the money going to? But what is most worrisome is that it is people around the neighbourhood that give these people information about the state of affairs.
How people can be wicked to that extent is what baffles me. I mean, this can happen to anyone and if it happens to me, what is the guarantee that it may not happen to them? I say this because, I am always careful in guiding my goats but mistakenly, these goats sneak out at times and the next thing is that they are captured. Worst still is that it is the people around that report to the task force for stipends. What poverty can do in the lives of people is a burden.
But imagine that for the two times that I have gone there to pay for the goats, they have refused to issue a receipt for the money paid for the goats. Now, what is the essence for the establishment of the task force if the money realized cannot fully be accounted for? In the end, the monies generated dont even reach the government coffers but the task force.
Now, I dont know if the government itself is taking a cursory gaze at the situation of things so as to ascertain the next best approach to curtail this challenge. Why I say this is because, I travelled to my village to see if I can transport my goats to the village and I discovered that this particular law is applicable to them as well.
In fact, it is worst in the villages because, a situation where this task force would go into peoples suburbs or surrounding environment to physically untie goats and sheep so that people can go and pay them money is absurd. These villagers now physically keep guard over their goats like watch dogs when they tie them outside for grazing.
Honestly, I think this is not right. Provided these goats are tied, this task force should not go there to untie them. If they are roaming about, it is a different thing but forcefully untying them is totally unacceptable. They claim that unless the vicinity is fenced, it doesnt matter if the animals are tied or not: it is still open grazing. What do you think about this?
Now, I am very careful not to reveal some despicable things that happens with this people and from such facts, it is evident that they are just after money. They sit down and calculate that if we catch this number of goats then, we will realize this amount of money and thus, they just go out of every known law and order to get these goats whether they are tied or not.
With the latest happening, I am afraid because a lot of uproar is been stirred as people are becoming agitated and what is fearful is envisaged if the right thing is not done. Because, there are a lot of corner cutting in these regulations for example, we know that each goat goes for N 3000 but you will find people negotiating for N 1000 or N 2000 as the case may be and they are returning it to them because, there is no receipt given and when you request for receipt, they will threaten to either increase the amount to N 5000 or tell you that they will have to go to the high court so that the high court can decide on the amount of money to be paid.
Going by the stipulations, one has no choice but to mellow down and pay the negotiated fee lest you enter into a higher fee pay in a time where every dim is useful. But this is not right and we must speak out to make them know that this is wrong.
Maybe, you have encountered this or are currently facing this challenge or problem then, let us know in the comment section. This will help us know the right approach to follow whenever one becomes a victim of circumstances. Also, like and share this post so that it can go viral for a readdress to be done concerning the issue of catching of goats, sheep and cattle in Benue State so as to avert the impending turmoil envisage in no distant time in the state.
The question of them returning the goats after catching is also a challenge. If you want to enforce a law, do you bend it by making money from the process? Why not withhold the goats, sheep and cattle instead? I mean, a lot of questions are relevant to be asked if this problem can be addressed.
I believe that there is more to this than is superficially seen or represented and if drastic measures are not taken; the end result would be more grievous. A stitch in time, they say saves nine.
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