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Abia community counts losses after alleged destruction of farms by cattle

The Traditional Prime Minister of Ike Mgboko autonomous community in Obingwa local government area of Abia State, Daniel Iheadindueme has condemned the destruction of newly cultivated crops in his community.

He said the destruction was allegedly done by cattle belonging to Fulani herdsmen.

Iheadindueme, who is also the Commander of Abia State Community Policing/Vigilante, named the affected areas to include Mgboko Okpulor village, Mgboko Amairi village and Nne Nkute area.

He alleged that herdsmen drove their cattle into the farms, threatened the farmers, before allowing their cattle to graze freely on newly germinated crops.

Iheadindueme, who lamented that the ugly development was a threat to food security and economic stability of the natives, warned that it could increase hunger in the rural villages if the destruction continued.

The community leader cautioned herdsmen against trespassing into peoples’ farms or other forms of violence, and said that any individual who disobeyed the advice would be apprehended and handed over to appropriate law enforcement agencies for prosecution.

Iheadindueme called on the leader of the Hausa community in Abia State to sensitize their people on compliance to established laws and community regulations.

The Traditional Prime Minister of Ike Mgboko, who thanked Governor Alex Otti for prioritizing the security of Abia people, also urged farmers to remain law-abiding and to report suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies.