Fulani herdsman
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Vanguard,
Eze Paul Ekwenye, the traditional ruler of Abala community in Obingwa
council in Abia state, has cried out to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to save
his community from Fulani herdsmen who invaded their farm lands.
The monarch reevaled that the herdsmen numbering 10 with over 200
cows attacked some women in their farms, as well as traders from Akwa
Ibom state who were on their way to the Orie market in the community.
Eze Ekwenye who appealed to the state government to deploy security
agents to the community which is a border town with Akwa Ibom State,
lamented that his people would soon face starvation since they no longer
have access to their farms.
According to him, “For five days now, Fulani herdsmen invaded
our farm lands; they attacked women who went to their farm. Traders from
Akwa Ibom state who were on their way to our Orie market said to me
that they were also attacked. Some of the women said the herdsmen were
shooting guns. We invited the Police, but the herdsmen ran away and came
back when the Police left. There is tension in this community; every
resident is afraid of his life and property. They have used their cows
to destroy our crops.
“This is the way they invaded Ukpabi Nimbo community in Enugu
state and killed people. We don’t want to be killed in our home. So, we
are appealing to Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu to deploy security agents to help
secure Abala community.”
Ndubuisi Sampson, the Chairman of the Council of Village Heads in
Abala community, who said he has warned the community vigilance group
not to take laws into their hands, disclosed that some residents of the
community have fled their homes and are now taking refuge at the Eze’s
palace while others have relocated to their relations in neighbouring
communities.
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