EBONYI STATE GOV UMAHI DROPS RELATIONSHIP PLANS WITH FULANI HERDSMEN DESPITE ATTACKS
He spoke while briefing newsmen after the state government’s meeting
with heads of security agencies and traditional rulers over suspected
herdsmen attacks in some South East state.
“These grazing routes are lands that are not used for farming, where the
herdsmen would be allowed to use in feeding their animals.
“They would not be allowed to stray into farm lands where we cultivate
farm crops, as traditional rulers are enjoined to map out the routes and
inform the herdsmen,” he said.
Umahi tasked security agencies in the state to conduct searches on herdsmen to ascertain those who illegally possess arms.
According to him, it is illegal for the herdsmen to carry arms as
efforts would be intensified to secure lives and properties of the
people.
“It is only individuals who obtained gun permits from the police that
are allowed to carry guns, as it is instructive to note that not all
herdsmen are violent and destructive.
“We shall enlighten the herdsmen that they are not allowed to carry arms
and the need for them to tolerate the citizens of the state who will in
turn tolerate them,” he said.
Prof. Bernard Odoh, Secretary to the State Government, who spoke, noted
that the meeting was convened to ensure that the unfortunate herdsmen
incident in Enugu State was not repeated in Ebonyi.
“The cardinal objective of government is to protect the lives and
property of citizens and in conformity with this objective, the governor
summoned this meeting,” he said.
HRH Charlse Mkpuma, Chairman of the State’s Traditional Rulers Council,
thanked the governor for convening the meeting, noting that the
traditional rulers would cooperate with the governor in checking the
herdsmen’s incursion.
(NAN)
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