Onyeche Wofurum Igwe
The Paramount Ruler of Abara town in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Eze Jonah E. Nwala, has decried the incessant herders attacks on farmers in the LGA.
Nwala who is also the chairman of Igboh Kingdom Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Security Committee, sent a save our soul message to the ministry of agriculture and security agencies, urging them to come to the aid of the Etche farmers during an interview with a radio station in Port Harcourt, which was monitored by TNN.
He lamented that the presence of the herders was posing serious security threat on the lives and property of both natives and residents of Etche communities.
Nwala revealed that Etche LGA had made several efforts to settle with the cattle rearers but that all proved abortive.
Describing Etche as a peaceful community, he noted that “it is worrisome, the activities of herdsmen in Etche land. Since 2020 till date, the incessant attacks on community farmers is becoming worrisome and this issue is no longer as we think it is.
“Etche in general is a peaceful community. We have tried our best if we can settle with the cattle rearers and everything proved abortive.
“Recently, the DPO Okehi called for a meeting where the sole administrator Etche LGA, the President General Ogbakor Etche and other traditional rulers were in attendance, to see how we can interface with these people but they neglected the invitation and sent cattle rearers that doesn’t understand English.”
Nwala complained that the “people in Abara village pay ₦3000 to access their farms. I heard the information and alerted the police. These herders attacked a man who refused to pay the money. All these reports has gone to the police, yet nothing was done. Our women are raped daily, these herdsmen came without permission.
“In order to solve the problem, they should be identified and the security agencies as well as the community leaders should meet with the herders to discuss how cows will be reared.”
