Gunmen allegedly attack ex-minister’s farm, rustle 95 cows in Kogi

Unknown gunmen have rustled 95 cows after reportedly launching an attack on SBD Farm Limited belonging to the late former Minister of National Planning and philanthropist, Chief Silas Daniyan, in Mopa Muro Local Council of Kogi State.

The farm manager and eldest son of the late elder statesman, Folurunsho Daniyan, said the armed attackers invaded the facility at 5:00p.m. on Tuesday.
He added that the gunmen tied the tender and matcheted him into unconsciousness. 

Daniyan further disclosed that the assailants rustled 95 cows from the farm. 

According to him, the victim was in a critical condition support at an undisclosed hospital, adding that the matter had been reported at the Mopa Muro Police Division.

Daniyan noted that the 630-acre farm deals mostly in cattle-rearing and fish farming.

Contacted, the spokesman for the state police command, Williams Ayah, said he was yet to be briefed, promising to get back as at press time. A promise, he did not fulfil.

Meanwhile, the Anambra government has refuted making the round that it had secretly established cattle colonies in parts of the state.

Briefing reporters yesterday on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting in Awka, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Ogbuefi Tony Nnachetta, reiterated that the Governor Willie Obiano administration was not disposed to the concept.

“The assertion is incorrect. It is not true. There is no plan to establish cattle colony anywhere in Anambra,” he stated.

The commissioner, however, commended the peace existing between the herdsmen and their host communities, acknowledging that the nomads have 76 settlements in the past 60 years that they have been in the state.

He recalled that prominent indigenes, including elders, traditional rulers, former Governor Chukwuemeka Ezeife, erstwhile Secretary-General of the Common Wealth, Chief Anyaoku, among others had submitted that the state had no land for cattle colony or ranch.  

His words: “Government is pleased with the maturity and understanding of our community leaders hosting cattle and herdsmen in 76 locations in Anambra State. Both the hosts and herdsmen are cooperating through the machinery of the government’s special assistant and other communities.”

Nnachetta hoped that the relationship would yield more fruits, especially economic growth.

The commissioner further disclosed that Council had approved the recruitment of more teachers to improve standards in the education sector, adding that more incentives had been approved for them.

“For human development, government would recruit 100 teachers for the technical education, 500 teachers each for the secondary and primary schools. There would be consideration for retired teachers that are still able and willing to work,” he added.