There has been a clash between men suspected to be Fulani herdsmen and the people of Umuobasikwu, Ozuitem community in
Bende local government area of Abia state leading to one person believed to have been killed.
The clash is also said to have led to the damaging of crops and farm lands worth several millions of naira in the incident said to have taken place late Sunday evening which the Commissioner of Police (CP) Leye Oyebade has confirmed.
Speaking with newsmen late on Monday in Umuahia, Oyebade said that the situation has been brought under control as mobile policemen have been drafted to the community to secure life and property as well as prevent the situation from, getting out of hands.
Oyebade who personally visited the community to ascertain the level of damages appealed to both parties to sheath their sword and give peace a chance, stressing that no meaningful peace would come out if the situation is not brought under control.
He said that a large committee comprising representatives of the herdsmen, Hausa/ Fulani community, the local community, the state government, security agencies and other stakeholders had been constituted to resolve the face- off.
The Abia police boss said that the peace committee would also fashion out ways to bring about a permanent solution to the frequent clashes between herdsmen and their host communities in the area.
He said that negotiations were also going on between both parties on possible compensation on the damages incurred during the fracas with the view to bringing lasting peace between the community and the herdsmen.
In his reaction, while lending his voice to the CP, the Chairman of Methi- Allah in the state, Hassan Buba appealed to herdsmen to embrace peace and live in harmony with their host communities.
Similarly, the traditional ruler of the community, Eze Akarilo appealed to the aggrieved youths of the community to sheath their sword and give peace a chance, saying that there is no need for any bloodshed.
The Deputy Speaker, Ndukwe who said he had also visited the community sued for peace, assuring that efforts were being made to forestall further occurrences and called on both parties to give peace a chance.
Yaro also sued for peace, saying that Abia has been hospitable to Hausa/ Fulani community in the area and wondered why there should be a constant clash between the herdsmen and the host communities in the state when there is no need for such.
The Nation recalls that clashes between herdsmen and farmers have been a recurring decimal in Ozuitem as well as some other communities in Abia North like Abam community in Ohafia local government area which has led to the loss of lives and property worth several millions of naira the recent times.
The meeting was attended by the Chairman of Hausa/Fulani community in Abia, Alhaji Danladi Yaro; Deputy Speaker of Abia House of Assembly, Hon. Cosmos Ndukwe; the traditional ruler of Umuobasiukwu community, HRM Eze John Onuoha Akaliro, the Chairman of Methi- Allah in the state, Hassan Buba; and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Captain Agwu Awa (rtd)..
