[TODAY'S NEWS] Herdsmen menace tearing Anambra community apart

Residents of Anaku Community in Ayamelum local government area of Anambra state have raised alarm over the incessant menace of Fulani herdsmen in the area, particularly the intimidation and unrestricted destruction of their farmlands.

Speaking during a visit to the area, the traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Peter Oforkansi, said the ugly trend is already tearing the community apart, adding that the community has sent an SOS message to the state government.

He narrated how the herdsmen led their cattle to graze on their crops without recourse, to the extent of damaging the community's major source of livelihood.

He lamented that several invitations for discussions sent to the herdsmen's leadership were not honoured.

The monarch regretted how the herdsmen block roads leading to the farms with their cattle, claiming their animals were grazing.

Oforkansi appealed to the state government and relevant authorities to immediately intervene on the issue particularly as agriculture remains their only source of income.

A farmer from the community, Sunday Obodoeze, said they now live in fear as the activities of the herdsmen have gone out of control.

He however noted that the community had heeded the governor's appeal for peace, but warned that the herdsmen excesses was capable of sparking violence which may plunge the area into severe crises if left unchecked.

Reacting, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Garba Umar, noted that the issue of cattle menace has become a major concern to the state, attributing it to influx of new sets of herdsmen ignorant of the agreement between the state government with the Fulani community.

"An emergency meeting of the cattle menace community set up by the state government would soon be convened to fashion out new ways to deal with the ugly incident with a view to ensuring that peace and security of the lives and property of law abiding citizens are not tampered with," he hinted.

While calling on the new entrants to acquaint themselves with the laws enacted to govern their operations, Umar appealed to farmers to promptly report such invasion on their farmlands to the Police, rather than taking the laws into their hands.