Enugu farmer laments destruction of rice farm
Perturbed by the resurgence of violence and killings in the country, the Bishop of Enugu Diocese (Anglican Communion), Rt Rev Samuel Obiajulu Ike, has called on President Bola Tinubu to investigate the alleged complicity and collusion of security and intelligence chiefs with terrorists and bandits in Nigeria.
Insisting that such action has fuelled insurgency, the cleric added that unravelling the truth behind the rumours would help to end the current insecurity situation and remove Nigeria’s name from the global terrorism index.
The Bishop made the call at a press briefing ahead of the second session of the 19th Synod of the diocese, which will be held from June 26 to 29, 2025, in Enugu. He expressed dismay over the rising insecurity in the country, especially in Benue State and other parts of the country.
“The President should take decisive action where these officers are found negligent, complicit and guilty of these allegations; they should be prosecuted and flushed out,” he stated.
MEANWHILE, an Enugu-based commercial farmer, Ekene Uzodinma, has appealed to the Nigerian government and security agencies to take decisive action against the escalating violence by armed Fulani herdsmen across farming communities, particularly in the Middle Belt and South-East regions.
Uzodinma, who narrated his experiences of loss, destruction, and near-death encounters after losing hectares of rice farm in Enugu State to herders, stated that it was not an experience anyone would want to have.
“I have lost everything more than once. Part of my 30-hectare rice farm was burnt down after harvest. My four-hectare cornfield was set ablaze. My rice fields have been grazed upon multiple times by herdsmen. Last year, I was physically attacked on my farm, and some of my workers sustained machete and stabbing injuries. We even arrested one of the attackers and handed him to the police — but nothing was done. No investigation. No accountability,” he lamented.
He stated that his story is part of a growing national crisis, adding that urgent action must be taken to curb incessant attacks farmers go through daily.
Uzodinma who stated that it costs several millions of naira to set up the farm that was destroyed, added: “This is no longer about farmer-herder clashes. This is terrorism. And the silence from authorities is deafening. If farmers continue to be hunted and slaughtered, Nigeria will face a food security disaster of unimaginable proportions.”
He demanded immediate deployment of armed security forces to farming regions under threat, including Enugu and Benue states, as well as a special investigative panel with prosecutorial powers to bring perpetrators and their sponsors to justice.
