Fulani Herdsmen Sent Parking in Enugu After THIS Happened (Photos)
ENUGU— Farmers inhabiting the agrarian communities of Eha-amufu in Isiuzo Local Government Area of Enugu state, have decried the unwholesome activities of the Fulani herdsmen operating in the area.
The aggrieved farmers who complained bitterly about the destruction of their crops and farm products by cattle belonging to the herdsmen, asked them to vacate their lands to avert unnecessary bloodshed or clash.
Already, one of them had sustained a serious injury on his right hand during one of the clash with the herdsmen who inflicted a deep cut on his arm with a machete.
The endangered communities includes Umuhu, Ebo, Ubuji, Amede, Isu and Igamede joined with other neighbouring villages in the area.
Lamenting about the ugly situation, the IPOB Coordinator in Eha-amufu, Mr. Mike Chukwunedum, said that farmers now dread working on their farmlands because of the presence of the cattlemen in their community.
He also narrated a recent incident at Umuhu community where farm products of farmers were all destroyed and eaten up by their cattle.
When Biafra Writers’ correspondent arrived the community, the farmers took him to their farmlands where evidence of the destruction by the cattle were captured.
The farmers who said that the State government including the security operatives having kept silent on the matter, had to resort to arresting any cow seen trespassing on their farmlands.
In a press briefing, the Chairman of Umuojibo-amafor of Umuhu community, Eha-amufu, Mr. Linus Ikechukwu Igwube, stated that the activities of the Fulani herdsmen in their community is becoming unbearable and getting out of control.
According to him, “they (cattle) will come and eat up our yams, cassava, rice, cocoyam and even drink our water.
“Everyone knows that our people are mainly known for farming which is our source of livelihood.
“We don’t have the strength to fight, that was why we decided to seize any cow that eats up our crops. We caught these cows destroying our crops in our farms.
“We’ve already reported the matter to the police and had also wanted to go and lodge more complaints but the herdsmen approached us and begged not to complain further to the police that rather, they’ll come in the evening to settle the matter but if they come and their submissions are not favourable to us, we will take these cows to the police and even report to the Local government chairman because we want them to leave our land.”
Mr. Igwube also pointed out that the village Head is not happy about the situation but called for caution in their dealings with the herdsmen so as to prevent inciting violence.
However, he further warned that henceforth, they won’t tolerate the destruction of their farmlands from the cattle owned by the herders, adding that since the seizure of those cattle they no longer sleep at night.
Also speaking, one of the farmers said that although there has not been any attack or casualty in their community, attacks has been carried out in the neighbouring villages in Ebonyi state and other minor clashes at the nearby communities.
He said; “For now, there is no proper plans to handle the activities of these herdsmen, this has been happening year to year. Recently, they have eaten up all the crops I planted. Sometimes, the herdsmen will even cut out our growing crops with their machete to feed their cattle and when you try to confront them, they become violent as they go about with dangerous weapons like AK47 and dagger.”
By Chukwuemeka Chimerue
Published By Nwosu C.S
For Biafra Writers
