By Henry Emeana
Concern over pockets of insecurity in the oil rich region of Imo state , farmers in Obitti, Ihie, Awarra (Ochia) and Umuapu communities in Ohaji, have lamented serial attacks by Fulani herdsmen, who they accused of destroying their farm products with government and security operatives doing practically nothing to salvage the situation.
The farmers who spoke to Eastern voice through Iheka Christopher and John Okeka, on Sunday via phone , said “for more than 20 years, Obitti, Ihie, Umuapu and Awarra communities who farm within the Imo Robber Estate (Obitti) where Fulani herdsmen mainly rear their cows are always attacked and our farm products eaten by cows and destroyed herdsmen who value their cattle more than humans especially those who are not of the same race with them”.
Okeka and Iheka stressed that because of the attacks and destruction of their farms they “no longer farm actively. And hunger is hitting many of us adversely. Many farmers at the area are now weakened and demoralized to farm. Cows would eat farm products and herders chase us out of the farms with dangerous and sophisticated weapons only to colonise and occupy the farmlands with government and security operatives doing practically nothing to salvage the situation.
“We have laid series of complaints to government and security operatives without any positive action as the Fulani herdsmen have since January, 2020, reinforced and life has been hard with us. Unless government wants us to take laws into our own hands. We cannot just fold our hands while hunger and insecurity ravage us”.
According to the people, army and police who guard oil company workers and their facilities patrol the area, but do nothing to sanction Fulani herdsmen who they see attack the farmers and possess their lands, saying their adamance may not be unconnected to brotherhood.
The farmers recalled that “Fulani herdsmen invaded Ihie community, killed and maimed scores of persons and government did nothing to sanction them and this encourages them more to encroach our lands and destroy our farms”.
They added that farmers and farmlands in communities of Ohaji such as Obitti, Ihie, Mgbuishi, Mgbirichi, Abakuru, Umuapu, Ohoba, Umuagwo, Assa, Obile, Awarra, Ochia, Obosima, Amafo, Umunwaku, Umuokanne among others have been under attack by Fulani cattle rearers who they ask to leave their lands since they are bent to breach peace and cordiality in their lands.
