The Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State has moved to strengthen security and prevent further escalation of the farmers-herders crisis in the area, with stakeholders resolving to profile cattle breeders, activate community vigilante groups and convene an emergency fact-finding meeting with herders operating in the council.
The measures were among the key resolutions reached at an emergency security meeting convened by the Executive Chairman of Umunneochi Local Government Area, Mayor Mazi Sunny Afurobi, following a peaceful protest by women of Obinolu Community over the alleged destruction of their farmlands by Fulani herders.
The meeting, held at the Mayor’s office at the Umunneochi Local Government Headquarters, Nkwoagu, brought together security chiefs in the council area, leaders of the Hausa Community, representatives of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), South-East leadership, and leaders of Obinolu Autonomous Community and Ngodo Town Development Union.
Also in attendance were heads of security agencies operating in Umunneochi, as well as representatives of the Homeland Security and Hunters Union.
Addressing the stakeholders, Mayor Afurobi said the meeting was convened as a prompt response to the “Save Our Soul” appeal by the women of Obinolu over the alleged destruction of their farms by Fulani herders.
He noted that Umunneochi had enjoyed relative peace since the assumption of office of Governor Alex Chioma Otti, but regretted that recent incidents allegedly involving some Fulani herders had begun to threaten the peace and security of the area.
The Mayor stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to nip the situation in the bud before it escalates into a more dangerous dimension.
Mayor Afurobi expressed concern over what he described as the destruction of farmlands and crops, including cassava, local beans, maize and melons, which, according to him, are produced by rural farmers in commercial quantities.
He noted that such activities were negatively affecting the peace, economy and standard of living of the rural populace, most of whom depend on agriculture as their major source of livelihood.
The Mayor said reports of alleged encroachment and destruction of farmlands by herders had continued to reach his office, stressing that any action by an individual or group that undermines the efforts of others to achieve growth, progress and survival must be collectively rejected.
He assured the stakeholders that resolutions reached at the end of the meeting would be vigorously pursued to guarantee maximum security, peaceful coexistence and sustainable development in Umunneochi.
Speaking on behalf of Obinolu Community, the Secretary of Obinolu Town Development Union, Hon. Chiagozie Egbu; the President, Ngodo Town Development Union Youth Wing, Mr. Responsible Mgbokwere; and the Financial Secretary, Ngodo Town Development Union, Ogbuehi Divine Francis, commended Mayor Afurobi for his prompt intervention and for convening the meeting.
They narrated what they described as persistent acts of alleged destruction of farmlands by Fulani herders, including the uprooting and trampling of cassava, local beans, maize and melon crops.
They also alleged incidents of harassment of women and abduction of farmers in some areas, while expressing concern over what they described as the alleged disregard by some herders for existing agreements and restrictions on open grazing.
The community representatives maintained that open grazing was prohibited in their communities and appealed to the government to take decisive measures to protect farmers and their means of livelihood.
They emphasized that farming remained the major source of income and family sustenance for the people and urged all stakeholders to work towards restoring peace and security in the affected communities.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Hausa Community at Umuchieze Cattle Market, Alhaji Alabit Jubrin, and his Secretary, Alhaji Abubakar Abdulahi Kedemure, condemned the destruction of people’s sources of livelihood through the activities of cattle.
They dissociated their community from any form of illegal open grazing in Umunneochi and its environs and called for stricter measures to restore sanity and peaceful coexistence.
They further stated that the Hausa Community had continued to support security efforts in the area by identifying and handing over suspected criminal elements operating within the Umunneochi Cattle Market to law enforcement agencies.
They explained that peace and security in Umunneochi were also in their interest, as their businesses and livelihoods depended on a peaceful environment.
Speaking on behalf of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, South-East, Mr. Muhammed expressed regret over the alleged destruction of people’s farms by some cattle breeders, acknowledging that some of those involved were members of the association.
He regretted that although the affected cattle breeders were invited to the meeting, they failed to attend.
He, however, said MACBAN had taken responsibility for engaging its members and would make concerted efforts to bring cattle breeders operating within the Umunneochi axis to a roundtable discussion at the next meeting.
Also speaking, the leader of the Hausa Community in Abia State, His Royal Highness, Eze Yaro, condemned the alleged destruction of the people’s farmlands and assured that justice would prevail, stressing that anyone found culpable must be brought to book.
In a vote of thanks, the Vice President of Ngodo Town Development Union, Chief Emma Orunwa, thanked Mayor Sunny Afurobi for his prompt intervention and the meticulous approach adopted during the meeting.
He expressed satisfaction with the resolutions reached, describing them as important steps towards finding lasting solutions to the challenges.
Chief Orunwa also reaffirmed the people’s continued support and loyalty to the administration of Governor Alex Chioma Otti in Abia State and that of Mayor Sunny Afurobi in Umunneochi Local Government Area.
Key Resolutions
At the end of the meeting, the stakeholders resolved that all cattle breeders operating in Umunneochi under Miyetti Allah must properly register, be identified, and operate in accordance with guidelines approved by the state government.
They also resolved that vigilante groups in the various autonomous communities should be made more active, properly equipped and profiled in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS), with a view to identifying and removing criminal elements.
The meeting further resolved that all cattle breeders operating within Umunneochi should be invited to an emergency fact-finding meeting. Those who fail to attend will face appropriate legal and security measures, including the seizure of straying cattle in accordance with the law and prosecution where necessary.
Another resolution was the convening of a joint engagement involving the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association leadership in Enugu State and their counterparts in Abia State to seek lasting solutions to the challenges.
The meeting also commended the Hausa Community at the Lokpanta Cattle Market for its cooperation with security agencies in identifying, apprehending and handing over suspected criminal elements for investigation and prosecution.
The meeting ended with a renewed commitment by all stakeholders to strengthen security, promote peaceful coexistence and protect the livelihoods of farmers and other residents across Umunneochi Local Government Area.
