Anambra communities caution Fulani herdsmen against invasion of land

Communities in Anambra East Local Council have warned Fulani herdsmen to stay away from their farmlands this dry season to avoid further damage to their crops.

The communities, including Aguleri Otu, Mkpunando and Eziagulu Otu, yesterday lamented that they were yet to recover from the colossal damage done to their crops last dry season by the herdsmen.

Rising from a meeting of Aguleri-Otu leaders of thought chaired by the traditional ruler of Mkpunando, Igwe Alex A. Edozieuno, with his deputy, Igwe Udorji Ikegbunam of Eziagulu Otu, they issued a communique, which stated: “We agreed that we are no longer ready to live in perpetual fear of the herdsmen or condone unwarranted destruction of our crops, hence the decision not to allow the Fulani herdsmen graze in our lands as from this season.

“The Igwes and the entire communities in Enugwu-Otu, Eziagulu-Otu and Mkpunando, therefore, for the interest of peace, call on the Anambra State government and all relevant security agencies to warn the Fulani herdsmen to steer clear of our farmlands.”

Edozieuno, who spoke with newsmen, regretted that his people who are predominantly farmers now buy food in the market because cattle have eaten up whatever they planted in their farms.

He added: “To make matters worse, women from our communities have been severally raped, and men who resisted the herdsmen were fought and injured.