Police allay fears of herdsmen, host community

The Imo State Commissioner of Police, Taiwo Lakanu, has confirmed that there is no conflict between the herdsmen and the people of the state.

He advised them to discountenance rumour of violence between the two groups, appealing to the herdsmen to move about their businesses and co-habit peacefully with their host community members.

The CP, who later visited the Area Command Headquarters, Okigwe, said he had ordered personnel of the command to beef up security in the area, urging the herdsmen not to graze their cattle in the farmlands of their hosts to prevent clash.

In the meeting attended by the Transitional Committee Chairman of Okigwe Local Council, Sunny Chiadi, the chairman Council of Traditional Rulers of Okigwe Local Council, Eze Bernard Alisi, members of the Hausa/Fulani cattle rearers, other members of the community, as well as security operatives, Lakanu promised to act proactively by providing adequate security, but warned that the police would not take it kindly with any law breaker.

In their contributions, Alisi and some Hausa/Fulani cattle rearers, expressed appreciation to the Commissioner of Police, promising to stay peacefully.

They admitted that there had been apprehension following the incidents of attacks that took place in Nasarawa, Benue, Enugu and Abia States, stressing that the explanations from the police boss had rekindled their hopes.