Following the wanton destruction of farm crops by cows belonging to Fulani Herdsmen in Ubulu-Unor community, the President General of the community, Chief Austin Ugbechie has charged the victims to report immediately to security agents.
Ugbechie emphasized that it is the right of the affected persons to incident the matter with the police.
His position is coming against the backdrop of alleged threats of attacks on the community by the herders.
Findings from sources in Ubulu-Unor disclosed that the herdsmen have gone beyond not just the destruction of farm crops with impunity, but even stealing of animals killed by farmers’ traps in their farms.
A victim of the herders’ attack, who craved anonymity, disclosed that the Fulani herdsmen have literally turned the community farmlands into a ranch.
“These men operate on people’s farmlands without restrain. If you asked them to leave the area, they will threaten to mobiles their people to attack you. As it stands now, we don’t know between them and us who owns the farms.
“These days, they not only destroy farm crops, they steal animals caught by our traps. If you even apprehend them, they will threaten you. The situation is degenerating and getting out of hand”, he complained.
Ugbechie while reacting, put the blame on the doorstep of Ubulu-Unor people, saying that it is the refusal of the victims to report the matter to the police that has continued to embolden the herdsmen.
“Why should the destruction continue and our people will continue to tolerate it. It is their docility that has continued to embolden the herdsmen. If your crops are damaged it is your right to report to the appropriate quarter and then the community town union will take it up from there.
“We have continually told them this, but their problem is the courage to go to the police and report. “Or, are they expecting that we should be the one to go and report such destruction on their behalf?”
“Let them report and we will follow it up. Nobody has the right to guide its cows into people’s farms to destroy farm crops. As the president general of our community, I do participate in the local government security meetings.
“These issues are discussed and it is the people who have to let the security agents know what those Fulani men are doing with their cows”, Chief Ugbechie clarified.
