Stakeholders Urge Herders To Avoid Cultivated Farmlands In Imo
The ongoing clashes between farmers and herders, which have resulted in the destruction of cultivated farmlands in the Ohaji/Egbema, Owerri West, and Oguta council areas of Imo State, were the primary focus of a stakeholders’ security meeting convened on Wednesday.
Additionally, issues related to kidnapping for ransom and other emerging security threats were extensively discussed during the meeting held in Owerri, the state capital.
The meeting was attended by the state Commissioner of Police, CP Audu Garba Bosso, who was represented by ACP Emeka Ezeibe, Area Commander. Other notable attendees included Engr. Paschal Obodo, National Secretary of the Agwa Central Union, Traditional Rulers such as HRH Eze Blaise Uba and HRM Eze Amb. M. C. Nwokoma, community leaders, and Presidents-General from various communities.
Also present were Hon. Suleiman Ibrahim, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Northern Affairs, along with religious leaders, youth leaders, women leaders, vigilante leaders, the Leader of the Hausa/Fulani Community in Imo State, and the Divisional Police Officers from Ohaji, Egbema, Agwa, and Oguta Divisions.
Speaking on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, ACP Ezeibe reaffirmed the Command’s dedication to intelligence-led policing, community partnerships, and proactive crime prevention. He emphasized that criminality transcends ethnic and religious boundaries and urged residents to assist security agencies by providing timely and credible information that could help identify criminal elements.
CP Bosso assured stakeholders of the Imo State Police Command’s ongoing commitment to addressing security challenges throughout the state via proactive policing and strategic partnerships.
Hon. Suleiman Ibrahim reiterated the Hausa/Fulani community’s commitment to peaceful coexistence, asserting that law-abiding herders would neither tolerate nor protect criminal elements.
Stakeholders delivered goodwill messages and participated in an interactive session focused on security and peaceful coexistence.
Discussions addressed the destruction of cultivated farmlands by grazing cattle, kidnapping for ransom, threats against farmers, and the subsequent impact on livelihoods and food security.
Participants acknowledged the improvements in security across Imo State and concurred on the necessity for sustained collective efforts to mitigate emerging threats. They also commended Senator Hope Uzodimma, Governor of Imo State, for enhancing peace and security through the establishment of community-based local vigilante structures.
The meeting concluded with resolutions that herders should refrain from grazing on cultivated farmlands, the registration and profiling of herders operating within affected communities should be implemented, and stronger collaboration with security agencies should be emphasized to combat kidnapping for ransom, farmer-herder conflicts, and other criminal activities.
A committee comprising representatives from various communities in the Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area was established to promptly address security concerns related to herders, kidnapping for ransom, and to promote peaceful coexistence.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from all stakeholders to support security agencies by adopting the principle of “See Something, Say Something.” The Imo State Police Command reiterated its determination to collaborate with all stakeholders to address farmer-herder disputes, kidnapping for ransom, and other security threats throughout Imo State.
