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Navy averts clash between herdsmen, farmers in Anambra community

By Muyiwa Adeyemi (Head South West Bureau Ado Ekiti), Saxone Akhaine, (Northern Bureau Chief), Karls Tsokar, (Abuja), Uzoma Nzeagwu, (Awka) and Abel Abogonye, (Lafia)
18 January 2017   |   4:23 am
The Nigerian Navy yesterday averted a bloody clash between herdsmen and farmers in Okoti village in Odoekpe, Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, which left three injured and one purportedly killed.

herdsmen

Bishop, CAN condemn killings
Our cows are dying, say rearers

The Nigerian Navy yesterday averted a bloody clash between herdsmen and farmers in Okoti village in Odoekpe, Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, which left three injured and one purportedly killed.

Eyewitnesses said the clash came over rumour that some herdsmen had killed a farmer, prompting the youths for a reprisal attack.

A senior naval officer from the Onitsha Naval outpost, who does not want to be mentioned, confirmed the incident.

“The Naval men on getting the information quickly mobilized and took over the place.’’

And as part of efforts to curtail the wanton killings, the Nigerian Army is to launch an operational drill in the surrounding forests around the Northwest in April.

The Army Chief of Training and Operations (CTOPS), Major General David Ahmadu, said yesterday in Abuja that the exercise would sharpen the marksman skill as well as enhance security.

The exercise codenamed ‘’Exercise Harbin Kunama II’’ will specifically be held in “Southern Kaduna, Birnin Gwari, Kyambana forest and contiguous areas in Plateau State, Lame Burra forest in Bauchi, Falgore forest in Kano states and adjoining areas.

Meanwhile, an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court has ordered the remand of one Momodu Rebo, 19, and Isiaka Idris, 22, in prison custody over alleged destruction of farm crops.

Police prosecutor, Mr. Samson Osobu, yesterday said the accused and others now at large, committed the offence on January 11, this year at Apoto farm settlement, Eporo, Emure-Ekiti.

Chief Magistrate Idowu Ayenimo adjourned the case to January 27, this year.

Meanwhile, Fulani cattle rearers have raised the alarm over their cows that are dying, as they could no longer graze in the troubled communities.

The National President of Fulani youths in Nigeria under the aegis of Jonde Jam Fulani Youth Association of Nigeria (JAFUYAN), Alhaji Saidu Maikano yesterday said that about nine Fulani boys who were brave enough to take their cattle for grazing are currently missing in the area.

The group called on the police and other security agencies to provide the Fulani herdsmen security cover for their business of grazing.

The State government has in the meantime reviewed the curfew imposed in the troubled areas from 7:00pm to 6:00am daily.

Meanwhile, the Bishop of Oleh Diocese Anglican Communion, Bishop John Usiwoma Aruakpor has condemned in strong terms the Southern Kaduna killings of Christians.

At the diocesan seven-days fasting held at St. Paul’s Cathedral Oleh, Isoko South local government area of Delta State, Bishop Aruakpor said the delay in getting requisite information needed for a thorough appraisal and resolution of the crises would have saved the situation.

Also, the Nasarawa State Chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has also condemned the wanton killings of innocent Nigerians in Southern part of Kaduna State by suspected herdsmen.

He urged both religious leaders of the Christian and Muslim to rise up to their responsibilities of championing the cause of peaceful coexistence by condemning and preaching against the killings in Kaduna and other parts of the country.

4 Comments

  • Author’s gravatar

    Why has this Fulani herdsmen trouble become so escalated during this Buhari/APC government? This is worrisome. And the problem is not being addressed drastically. We really have a challenge in our hands. I just hope the boko haram killers have not changed strategy by hijacking the Fulani herdsmen. May God fight our battle in this nation.

  • Author’s gravatar

    This is becoming ridiculous. Like I said some where with respect to this subject, this is a massacre in the making that might have a national reprisal and impact. This cultural invasion should be stopped.