The Commissioner of Police in Imo State, CP Taiwo Lakanu has called for peaceful co-existence between the indigenous people and Hausa/Fulani settlers in the state.
The CP said the visit to Okigwe became imperative because the area is the home of herdsmen in the state.
Addressing the people, he noted that his visit was preventive sequel to the rumours making round the state that the indigenes were planning to attack the Hausa/Fulani people in the area.
Lakanu’s speech was interpreted to the Hausa/Fulani people in their language by the leader of the Hausa/Fulani community in Okigwe, Alhaji Bui Yaya.
He warned that there should not be any room for any form of crisis in the state, especially when Nigeria is currently passing a critical stage.
He said, “There is no time disparity and disunity in Nigeria will be allowed to rear their heads not to talk of this period. We shall not bring in ethnic sentiment in Nigeria now.
“For the fact that Hausa marry Igbo people and vice visa, it is enough to bring in lasting peace in Nigeria. I as the CP will not be alive in this state and allow it to happen.
“Imo State Police Command is ever ready to enforce all relevant laws to maintain our peace in the state and country at large.
“We will not allow either indigenous people or the non-indigenes to breach peace in the state. No person or group of persons should take law in his/their hands. We shall not condone that.”
The CP, who preached understanding among the people, told the herdsmen in the area not take their cows to where they would destroy people’s farms and the people not to attack the herdsmen or kill their cows.
Before leaving the area, police hotline numbers were given out to the people. Also a peace committee was formed, which comprised of security operatives, indigenes, Hausa/Fulani settlers, community leaders and traditional rulers.
Reacting, Alhaji Bui Yaya said that there had not been any time the Hausa/Fulani was planning for reprisal.
“Even when four of our own were killed in Abia State, we did not launch back attack because of the way the governor and the police addressed us.”
Yaya, who said that the people of the state were misinformed about their activities in the state, debunked the allegation that herdsmen in the area went about their business with rifles and machine guns.
He called on security operatives to look inwards and that any herdsman apprehended with dangerous weapons or perfected any dastardly act should be dealt with.
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