- A crisis broke out between herdsmen and farmers in Cross River state
- The clash was as a result of the anti-open grazing bill in the state
- One person was reportedly killed while several others sustained injuries
Some herdsmen and farmers in Ugaga community, Yala local government area of Cross River state clashed over the anti-open grazing bill in the state.
The clash has led to the death of at least one person while several others reportedly sustained various levels of injuries.
The governor of the state, Prof Ben Ayade, while addressing the recent crisis told pressmen after an Emergency State Security Council Meeting in Calabar, said that the meeting was one of his proactive steps in stemming the security crisis in the area from escalating and to protect lives and property of the citizenry.
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He said: "We have already deployed the military, police and other security agencies to ensure that the situation is brought under control and as we speak, the area is calm and peaceful.
“During our meeting, we did an analytical appraisal of the situation and we have come out with a very strong active point that must be implemented urgently.
“One of such measures is to immediately institute a mediation team comprising the security operatives, the fulani community, and my Special Adviser on non-indigene affairs as well as the leader of Hausa/ Fulani community in the state.
“If the federal government does not come to lend its support to the state, what will happen is that they are leaving the farmers and the herdsmen to take on themselves."
The governor noted that as a result of the full implementation of the anti-open grazing law by the Benue state government.
He said: "There has been a mass exodus of Fulani herdsmen to Cross River. This has become more exacerbated by the changes in climatic condition as the grasses up north is getting dryer and the impact is what resulted in the incident we recorded yesterday were there was a skirmish between the herdsmen and Ugaga community, leading to loss of life.
“If Cross River state does nothing, the continuous exodus of uncontrolled number of herdsmen into the state will result in more crisis. So, we must do something actively and fast too because it is causing anxiety, fear and worry and all through yesterday Sunday night, all the calls and suggestions I got were that we should follow the direction of Benue state.
“We in Cross River have lived with the herdsmen peacefully over time but obviously, with the passage of the Anti-Open-Grazing law and its full implementation in Benue, it is having its effect on us. Currently, the situation is where the farmers feel a deep sense of loss with the continuous grazing on their economic crops while the herdsmen are desperately searching for pastures to sustain their cattle.”
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Meanwhile, NAIJ.com previously reported that the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has called on federal government, National Assembly (NASS) and international community to intervene in the anti-open grazing law operating in Benue state.
The chairman of the association, Danladi Ciroma, made the call on Sunday, November 5, at a news conference in Lafia.
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Source: Naija.ng