Governor Umahi bans grazing in Ebonyi after clash between herdsmen and farmers

macfranc007 February 28, 2018 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Nigerian newspapers 24/7 Adeola Opeyemi

- Herders and farmers were engaged in a brawl at Akaeze, Ivo local government area of Ebonyi

- Four people from both sides were reportedly injured in the fight

- Residents of the community have reportedly fled the area over fear of reprisal from the herdsmen

A violent clash erupted between herdsmen and farmers at Akaeze, Ivo local government area of Ebonyi state on Tuesday, February 27. Three herdsmen and one farmer were reportedly seriously injured during the fight.

The Guardian reports that the farmer, who sustained machete wounds all over his body, was admitted at Emergency Ward of Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (FETHA) while the three herdsmen who sustained various head injuries are receiving treatment at a hospital in Awgu, Enugu state.

The residents of the community have reportedly deserted the area out of fear that there might be a reprisal attack from the herdsmen.

The state governor, David Umahi, has declared immediate ban on grazing in the entire Ivo local government area until investigation into the matter was concluded.

The governor also summoned an emergency security meeting with security chiefs in the state, leaders of herdsmen, local government chairmen and stakeholders in Ivo local council and proceed to set up a 10-man committee to investigate the attacks.

Umahi, during the meeting said: “This issue is becoming complicated because if we had seen cow, we will now believe that he attacked cows and they butchered him. I want the CP, the army and the SSS to set up a committee to investigate the matter and we will convey another emergency security meeting on the matter.

“While the investigation go on, I am banning any herdsman from entering Ivo local government area until this investigation is completed and I want the security men to carry out my instruction. No herdsman should enter the place, no cattle should enter Ivo local council until this investigation is completed.

“Security people, I want you people to note it down that any herdsman that is coming into Ebonyi must follow the procedure and must not carry animals into Ebonyi state. You bring animals in by vehicles because there are no cattle routes in this state. There is no grazing reserve in Ebonyi, there is no colony here. You cannot come into somebody’s farm without his permission, you can’t do that. Any cattle that goes into farmland should be arrested immediately. Anybody that kills the cows of a Fulani man should go to prison for five years and also pay for the cattle. Any Fulani man that destroys the farm of a farmer will go to prison for five years and pay for the cost of the farmland."

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Meanwhile, NAIJ.com previously reported that gunmen suspected to be herdsmen have invaded Gwamba community in Demsa local government area of Adamawa state.

The attackers reportedly stormed two villages in the community in the early hours of Tuesday, February 27, and opened fire. Several houses are reported to have been set ablaze, while the residents fled in different directions.

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