- An agreement has been reached on the crisis between herdsmen and farmers in Imo state
- The Imo state police command, herdsmen and farmers agreed on compensation for victims of clashes in the state
- The parties agreed that compensation would be paid to the herdsmen should any of their cattle be killed
The Imo state police, the leadership of the Myetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and monarchs in the state have reached an agreement on compensation for victims of clashes between farmers and herdsmen.
The trio spoke unanimously at a joint meeting which took place at the Imo state police command.
The meeting presided over by the commissioner of police in the state, Chris Ezike, also had farmers in attendance.
Part of the agreement by the parties include that if cattle were killed by farmers that there would be a compensation for the herders.
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The meeting also witnessed an apology rendered by the chairman of Miyetti Allah, Audi Diko, who called for forgiveness from the farmers of the state over destruction of their farms by herdsmen.
Also the traditional rulers, including Eze Gorege Eke, Ubomiri Community in Mbaitoli local government area, insisted that the federal government should adopt cattle ranching.
Ezike said: “We have agreed that our mechanism at the local government level made up of the chairman of the constitution committee, the DPO, the officer in charge of SSS, the traditional rulers, the representatives of the farmers and herders, that committee should be strengthened in the twenty seven local government areas in the state. So that they will be able to receive reports of incidents when they are needed and try to solve those problems.
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"That the security agencies, police and other security agencies, should redouble their efforts in identifying these herders of unknown origin who operate especially around Okigwe area, find out whether they are coming in from Abia or Enugu. And ensure that criminal offences are committed that they dealt with according to the law.
“We also agreed that the issue of justice and fair play, will always come into being. The cattle is not a somebody. Cattle is an animal and it must always be an animal. In case cattle strays into farms and destroys farms, the committees at the local level must ensure justice is done through appropriate competition.
“Covertly, if farmers or any other person go to kill cattle, the committee should also look into it and ensure that justice is done, the moment justice is done to both wings there will be peace in the area."
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NAIJ.com earlier reported that the police had announced the most wanted criminal, Terwase Akwaza, took advantage of the crisis in Benue state to attack communities.
The police accused Akwaza, popularly called Gana, of attacking the home of a top government official in the state.
The Force said its men are doing everything possible to ensure the displaced return to their communities.
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Source: Naija.ng