Imo Police commissioner moves to avert planned clash between herdsmen and community

*seeks cooperation among sister security agencies
*urges Cult members to renounce membership and lay down arms

Following intelligence reports that there could be bloody clash between herdsmen and farmers in Ngor Okpala Local Council of Imo State, the newly deployed Commissioner of Police, Chris Okey Ezike, has convened a meeting of the parties.

In a statement in Owerri on Thursday and signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), in the state, Andrew Enwerem, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), a three -point resolution was taken among the feuding parties.

The statement reasds: ”Sequel to intelligence report of likelihood of fracas between farmers and herdsmen around Ngor Okpala L.G.A of Imo State occasioned by alleged cattle grazing in farmlands, the Commissioner of Police Imo State, CP Chris Ezike immediately summoned a meeting on 24/04/2017 at the Police Headquarters, Owerri. In attendance were the Senior Special Assistant to the State Government on Northern Affairs Alh. Faisal Lawal, seven (7) traditional rulers from Ngor Okpala L.G.A led by HRH Eze (Engr) Frederick Nwachukwu, the leader of Hausa community in Owerri, Alh. Muhammed Auwal Suleiman, the Chairman Miyetti Allah, Alh. Audu Ajara and other hausa leaders from Obinze, Okigwe, Orlu, as well as the head of Fulani community other members.”
Continuing, the CP noted: ”At the end of the meeting, it was resolved that:

1.The misunderstanding has not assumed unprecedented proportion.

2.A committee to be set up at LGA levels for a review of activities and findings communicated to the CP as feedback between 1st May – 15th June, 2017.

3.A meeting of traditional rulers, farmers and herdsmen should be localized wherein the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), representatives of sister security agencies and Transitional Chairmen will be in attendance on a regular basis.

In another development, the new CP, says he would work in partnership with other sister security agencies to fight crime in the state. Ezike stated this after visiting some agencies on Thursday, also directed all the cult members to renounce their membership and submit their arms in order to escape the wrath of the police.

He said he has visited heads of the Department of State Service (DSS), Nigerian Immigration Service and Nigeria Prisons Service, noting that they reached a compromise on how to handle security issues in the state.