The attention of my office has been drawn to the misleading reports in some sections of the media alleging that there was tension in Akpakume/Nze community in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State as a result of herdsmen invasion on the community.
The reports also alleged that there was protest in the area over “persistent harassment and attacks on the community by suspected Fulani herdsmen”
The alleged reports came to me as a surprise, considering the fact that the present administration in Enugu State, security agencies, the Fulani community and the people of Akpakume/Nze recently took far reaching decisions aimed at resolving amicably, the issues relating to herdsmen activities in the state.
It is on record that the Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi on May 14, 2016 paid an unscheduled visit, in the company of the leaders of Fulani community in the state, to Akpakume/Nze community following a rumour of an impending attack on the community by the herdsmen. The visit which doused the tension in the community, necessitated an enlarged meeting of all the parties involved in the matter at the Government House, Enugu on May 16, 2016.
The meeting which was summoned by Governor Ugwuanyi , was in furtherance of ongoing efforts of the state government to find lasting solution to the lingering clashes between Fulani herdsmen and their host communities.
In the said meeting which had in attendance the governor and his team, the representatives of the Akpakume/Nze community led by its traditional ruler, Igwe Nodulum Eze, and leaders of the Fulani and Shuwa Arab communities, unanimously agreed as follows:
- Ban on night grazing and rearing of cattle in Enugu
State. - Ban on carrying of firearms or any form of ammunition by the herdsmen
- Ban on movement of cattle from one location to another at night in the state.
Another far reaching decision taken during the crucial meeting was the setting up of a peace committee made up of representatives of the Fulani and Shuwa Arab Communities in the state, government representatives as well as security agencies.
It was also decided that compensation will be paid by herdsmen whose cattle destroy farm crops while the communities will pay for any cattle killed by their members. It was equally agreed that violators of these resolutions will be made to face the full wrath of the law.
As the Chairman of Udi Local Government Area, I wish to state without any fear of equivocation that the implementation of the resolutions reached at the meeting has been successful. All the parties involved a few days ago, visited the community farms to ascertain the level of damages done prior to the meeting under reference, for compensation as was agreed.
It is therefore, disheartening and strange, to read in the media that the Igwe and women of the community raised the alarm alleging that the Fulani herdsmen freshly invaded the community, harassed and attacked the community.
As the Chief Security Officer of the Council, I investigated the allegations properly and the security report available indicates that no Fulani herdsmen invaded the community and no protest was staged by the women of the community, as was allegedly reported in the media.
I therefore, wish to reassure the people of the community that the state Governor and security agencies are working round the clock to ensure that all the issues relating to the activities of the herdsmen in the community are resolved amicably, for peace and unity to continue to reign.
Hon. Dr. Hyacinth Ngwu
Chairman, Udi Local Government Area.
