An emergency security meeting convened by the Executive Chairman, Umunneochi Local Government Area, Mazi Sunny Afurobi, convened has ended at the council headquarters with directive requesting all cattle breeders operating in Umunneochi under Miyetti Allah to properly register, be identified and operate in accordance with guidelines approved by Abia state government.
A release statement issued at the end of the meeting that witnessed the presence of security chiefs in the council area, representatives of the Homeland Security and Hunters Union, leaders of the Hausa Community, representatives of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), South-East leadership, and community leaders also directed that community Vigilance groups be made more active, properly equipped and profiled in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS), with a view to identifying and removing criminal elements.
The security meeting which followed the peaceful protest embarked upon by women of Obinolu Ngodo Community over the destruction of their farmlands by Fulani herders, further agreed to summon all cattle breeders operating within Umunneochi to an emergency fact-finding meeting, warning that those who fail to attend will face appropriate legal and security measures.
Also at the forum that was attended by the leadership of Obinolu Autonomous Community and Ngodo Town Development Union, an agreement was reached for a joint engagement involving the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association leadership in Enugu State and their counterparts in Abia State.
The meeting however commended the Hausa Community at the Umuchieze Cattle Market for their cooperation with security agencies in identifying, apprehending and handing over suspected criminal elements for investigation and prosecution.
Addressing the meeting earlier, Mayor Afurobi said the emergency meeting was a prompt response to the “Save Our Soul” appeal by the women of Obinolu over the destruction of their farms by Fulani herders.
He noted that Umunneochi had enjoyed relative peace since the administration of Governor Alex Otti, but regretted that recent incidents allegedly involving some Fulani herders had begun to threaten the peace and security of the area.
The Mayor stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to nip the situation in the bud before it escalates into a more dangerous dimension.
He expressed concern over what he described as the destruction of farmlands and crops, including cassava, local beans, maize and melons, which, according to him, are produced by rural farmers in commercial quantities.
He noted that such activities were negatively affecting the peace, economy and standard of living of the rural populace, most of whom depend on agriculture as their major source of livelihood.
Speaking on behalf of Obinolu Community, the Secretary of Obinolu Town Development Union, Hon. Chiagozie Egbu; the President, Ngodo Town Development Union Youth Wing, Mr. Responsible Mgbokwere; and the Financial Secretary, Ngodo Town Development Union, Ogbuehi Divine Francis, commended Mayor Afurobi for his prompt intervention and for convening the meeting, expressing concern over what they described as persistent acts of alleged destruction of farmlands by Fulani herders.
While observing what they described as disregard by some herders for existing agreements and restrictions on open grazing, they further alleged that there were incidents of harassment of women and abduction of farmers in some areas.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Hausa Community at Umuchieze Cattle Market, Alhaji Alabit Jubrin, and his Secretary, Alhaji Abubakar Abdulahi Kedemure, condemned the destruction of people’s sources of livelihood through the activities of cattle and dissociated their community from any form of illegal open grazing in Umunneochi and its environs.
They further noted that the Hausa Community had continued to support security efforts in the area by identifying and handing over suspected criminal elements operating within the Umunneochi Cattle Market to law enforcement agencies.
Speaking on behalf of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, South-East, Mr. Muhammed expressed regret over the alleged destruction of people’s farms by some cattle breeders, acknowledging that some of those involved were members of the association.
While regretting that the affected cattle breeders invited to the meeting failed to attend, he however said MACBAN had taken responsibility for engaging its members and would make concerted efforts to bring cattle breeders operating within the Umunneochi axis to a roundtable discussion at the next meeting.
Contributing, the leader of the Hausa Community in Abia State, Sarkin Yaro Danladi, condemned the alleged destruction of the people’s farmlands and assured that justice would prevail, stressing that anyone found culpable must be brought to book.
In a vote of thanks, the Vice President of Ngodo Town Development Union, Chief Emma Orunwa, thanked Mayor Sunny Afurobi for his prompt intervention and expressed satisfaction with the resolutions reached.
Chief Orunwa used the forum to reaffirm the people’s continued support and loyalty to the administrations of Governor Otti and that of Mayor Sunny Afurobi.
