Incessant Attacks: Ebonyi Govt to Create Special Grazing Routes For Herdsmen

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria, News From The State Wednesday, May 4th, 2016

By IGNATIUS OKPARA, Enugu, Abakaliki

BALTIMORE, MD (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – As part of measure to checkmate the nefarious activities of fulani herdsmen in parts of Nigeria, including the south east region, the Ebonyi state government says it is now contemplating creating special grazing routes for the herdsmen.

The state Governor, Dave Umahi, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abakaliki the state capital,

while briefing newsmen after the state government’s meeting with heads of security agencies and traditional rulers over suspected herdsmen attacks in some South-east state.

He said: “These grazing routes are lands that are not used for farming, where the herdsmen would be allowed to use in feeding their animals.

“They would not be allowed to stray into farm lands where we cultivate farm crops, as traditional rulers are enjoined to map out the routes and inform the herdsmen,”.

The governor, also charged security organizations in the state to conduct searches on herdsmen to ascertain those who illegally possess arms.

According to him, it is illegal for the herdsmen to carry arms as efforts would be intensified to secure lives and properties of the people.

“It is only individuals who obtained gun permits from the police that are allowed to carry guns, as it is instructive to note that not all herdsmen are violent and destructive.

“We shall enlighten the herdsmen that they are not allowed to carry arms and the need for them to tolerate the citizens of the state who will in turn tolerate them,” he said.

Also speaking, Secretary to the State Government SSG, Professor Bernard Odoh, explained that the meeting was convened to ensure that the unfortunate herdsmen incident in Enugu State was not repeated in Ebonyi.

According to him, “the cardinal objective of government is to protect the lives and property of citizens and in conformity with this objective, the governor summoned this meeting,” he said.

In his speech, chairman of the state Traditional rulers Council, Charles Mkpuma, had applauded the governor for convening the meeting, stressing that the traditional rulers would cooperate with the government in checking the herdsman’s incursion in parts of the state.