Help! Herdsmen Have Taken Over Our Farmlands, Abia Monarch Cries Out

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The king of Abala community in Obingwa council, Abia State, Eze Paul Ekwenye, has called on Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu to help save his community from Fulani herdsmen who has invaded their farm lands since five days ago terrorizing the residents.

In an interview with Vanguard Newspaper, The monarch said herdsmen numbering 10 with over 200 cows attacked some women in their farms, as well as traders from Akwa Ibom state who were on their way to the Orie market in the community.

The traditional ruler bemoaned that his people would soon be hit with starvation as they no longer have access to their farms, he however, appealed to the state government to deploy security agents to the community which is a border town with Akwa Ibom State.

Eze Ekwenye said, “For five days now, Fulani herdsmen invaded our farm lands; they attacked women who went to their farm. Traders from Akwa Ibom state who were on their way to our Orie market said to me that they were also attacked.

“Some of the women said the herdsmen were shooting guns. We invited the Police, but the herdsmen ran away and came back when the Police left. There is tension in this community; every resident is afraid of his life and property.

“They have used their cows to destroy our crops. This is the way they invaded Ukpabi Nimbo community in Enugu state and killed people. We don’t want to be killed in our home. So, we are appealing to Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu to deploy security agents to help secure Abala community.”

The Community Village Head Council Chairman, Ndubuisi Sampson, disclosed that most residents have fled their homes and are now taking refuge at the Eze’s palace while others have relocated to their relations in neighbouring communities.

He also explained that he had warned the community vigilance group not to take laws into their hands