The Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief David Umahi, at the weekend threatened that his administration can take herdsmen to court for crimes committed against farmers in the state.
Umahi made this known while fielding questions from the members of course 12 of the Institute for Security Studies, ISS, which took place at Exco- chambers Government House, Abakaliki, capital of Ebonyi State.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dr Eric Kelechi Igwe, lamented that the activities of herdsmen were worrisome, noting that the state will not tolerate a situation where the herders will be allowing their cattle to destroy crops and farmlands in the state.
He further revealed the preparedness of the state government to protect the interest of the indigenous farmers as well as the herders to avert any breach of law and order in the state.
“The issue of herdsmen has the potential of engulfing this nation but fortunately, our dear governor was appointed as the co-chairman of the national technical committee that made a recommendation to the federal government on how to resolve the crisis between herdsmen and farmers.
“The recommendation made by the committee helped to reposition the
focus of the Federal government on how they wanted to handle the issue
of farmers/ herdsmen and ranching in Nigeria.
“That is why in Ebonyi, we have not had such crisis that is between farmers and herdsmen that would go national. We also have the right and the latitude to take any of the herders to court to protect the interest of the indigenous farmers but this is a state where people live together as one.
“This is a state where the interest of the herders is protected, a state where we encourage foreigners to live in peace with others.
“We also could have directed the commissioner for justice and attorney general of the state to drag all of them to court on the crimes they (herdsmen) committed against our farmers.”
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