Traditional rulers of Aguleri Otu, Mkpunando and Eziagulu Otu, all in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State, have said they will not tolerate the presence of herdsmen on their farms this season.
They urged Governor Willie Obiano to keep the herdsmen away from their farms.
The three communities said the presence of herdsmen had always generated tension among the residents.
They feared that as the dry season approaches with limited pastures for cattle grazing, Fulani herdsmen might resort to feeding their animals on their lands on the bank of Anambra River.
The monarchs said: “We are still recuperating from the wounds of hardship, incessant threats to lives and colossal damage to our crops which we suffered during the last dry season. So, we cannot take further damages.”
In a communique, dated November 14, issued after the meeting of Aguleri-Otu Leaders of Thought, chaired by the traditional ruler of Mkpunando, Igwe Alex A. Edozieuno, with his deputy, Igwe Udorji Ikegbunam of Eziagulu Otu, the people resolved that they would not allow the herdsmen to return to their lands.
The communique reads: “We agreed that we are no longer ready to live in perpetual fear of the herdsmen or condone unwarranted destruction of our crops, hence the decision not to allow the Fulani herdsmen to graze on our lands as from this season.
“The Igwes and the communities in Enugwu-Otu, Eziagulu-Otu and Mkpunando, therefore, in the interest of peace, call on the Anambra State Government and all relevant security agencies to warn the Fulani herdsmen to steer clear of our lands from this dry season.
“We will not take it lightly if we see any cow, cattle or herdsmen attempting to disregard this all-important warning and come to our lands.”
It was signed by HRM Igwe Alex A. Edozieuno, Ezendo Mkpunando and HRH Igwe Udorji Ikegbunam, Igwe Ji Udor of Eziagulu Otu on behalf of the leaders of thought.
Addressing reporters yesterday, Igwe Edozieuno regretted the losses his people suffered in the hands of Fulani herdsmen.
The monarch said his people, who are predominantly farmers, were buying food from the market because cattle ate all they planted in their farms.
He added: “Each time the herdsmen come with their cattle, they chase away farmers from their farm landa so that their cattle can graze freely.”
Anambra communities to herdsmen: stay away from our farms
