In a bid to prevent further clashes between Fulani herders and farmers in Nkanu West Local Government Area (LGA) of Enugu State, the council chairman, Hon. John Ogbodo, has initiated steps to bring both parties to a roundtable dialogue for understanding. This decision comes after the recent reports of alleged destruction of crops in Amurri and Akpugo, which nearly resulted in violent confrontations between the herders and local farmers.
The dialogue meeting, convened at the Agbani council headquarters, witnessed the presence of key Fulani leaders, including HRH Abubarka Sambo, the Sariki Hausa of Enugu State, Alhaji Inusa Usman, the Chairman of Yan Banga Fulani, Enugu State, the Forest Guards, the Neighborhood Watch, alongside other relevant Fulani leaders. These leaders, representing the Fulani community in the region, came together with the farmers to discuss the ongoing challenges and find common ground for peaceful co-existence.
During the meeting, the farmers, represented by Mr. Ekene Uzodimma and Mr. Nathaniel Ogbuka from Akpugo, shared their frustrations. They lamented the wanton destruction of their crops by the Fulani cattle, causing significant hardship to their livelihoods. The farmers expressed their concerns about the lack of accountability from the herders, who they claimed were often uncooperative and sometimes resorted to violence when confronted about the destruction. According to Mr. Uzodimma, the herders no longer restrict their grazing to fields but have increasingly moved their cattle into farmlands, sometimes even grazing within homesteads. This alarming situation, the farmers noted, has persisted for many years without resolution.
In response to the farmers' grievances, the heads of security agencies in Nkanu West, including the Police, DSS, and Army, shared their perspectives and suggestions for a lasting solution to the recurring farmers-herders conflict. Their input was crucial in shaping the dialogue and understanding the security challenges involved.
Hon. John Ogbodo, the council chairman, called for calm and emphasized the importance of tolerance, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence between the Fulani herders and the farmers. He also cautioned the Fulani leaders and herders to be mindful of their actions to avoid further destruction of crops. Ogbodo reminded the parties that the state governor, His Excellency Dr. Peter Mbah, had placed a significant emphasis on agriculture as a pillar of economic growth for Enugu State. He highlighted the governor's ambitious plan to boost agricultural productivity, including a directive for each local government to secure 200 hectares of land for mechanized farming. Ogbodo stressed that such transformative agricultural initiatives could be severely undermined if the current trend of unregulated cattle movement continues unchecked.
In a move aimed at ensuring long-term peace, the council chairman announced the formation of a committee to be inaugurated on Monday, with the responsibility of overseeing the signing of a peace accord between the farmers and the herders. This agreement is expected to serve as a framework for mutual cooperation and conflict resolution between the two groups moving forward.
This initiative follows Hon. Ogbodo's earlier action on December 10, 2024, when he convened a crucial security meeting with heads of key security agencies in the region. The meeting, which included representatives from the Police, Army, Road Safety, Civil Defence, DSS, and the Neighborhood Watch, underscored the administration’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of citizens, especially as the Christmas season approaches. The chairman’s proactive approach is a clear reflection of both his leadership style and his alignment with Governor Peter Mbah’s vision for peace, stability, and sustainable development in the state.
While the peace agreement draws near, all eyes will be on the successful implementation of the pact and its potential to foster harmony between the farmers and herders, contributing to the overall goal of peaceful co-existence in Enugu State.
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