Ekpo Okemini, Umuahia
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Abia State Command has warned Fulani herdsmen against grazing their cattle on farms and gardens in the state to avoid clashes with farmers.
Commandant of the command, Dr. Benito Eze stated this at the inaugural meeting between the command and members of the state branch of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria in Umuahia, the Abia state capital.
He advised cattle dealers to convey them to their buyers or slaughterhouses in vehicles rather than herding them along roads to avoid their straying to unauthorized areas
He said: “As you are aware, there have been persistent clashes between herdsmen and farmers which have resulted to several problems in so many parts of the country.”
According to him, the presidency was no longer comfortable with the level of insecurity posed by these, stressing that people should stop taking the laws into their hands.
“Therefore the NSCDC has been mandated to come in the gap to find proactive measures to avoid clashes as well as ensure a cordial relationship between herdsmen and farmers,” he noted.
He said it was important to inform them that over 6000 officers and men of the corps had been trained for the purpose of protecting agricultural investment and livestock in this regard.
In his response, the state chairman of the association, Alhaji Hassan Buba commended the command for initiating the meeting, adding that it had become very necessary.
Buba, who frowned at herdsmen who do not show remorse when their cattle destroy people’s farms, assured that he would impress upon them the need for a harmonious relationship between them and their host communities.
Comments are closed.