Stop destroying farmers crops in Ebonyi, Miyetti Allah warns its members

Members of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria have been warned to desist from destroying the crops of farmers in Ebonyi State in a bid to foster peace.

The warning was issued by Alhaji Baba Ngelzerma, Secretary-General of the association on Thursday in Abakaliki during a stakeholders’ meeting convened by Gov. David Umahi.

According to Ngelzerma, one of the ways of permanently resolving the incessant clashes between herders and farmers is to stop cattle herders from destroying farmers’ crops.

Ngelzerma said; “There would have been no problem between herders and farmers across the country if our members are accommodated the way Ebonyi people accommodate us.

“The herders should realise that the farmers’ crops are dear to them just as the cattle are dear to them (herders).

Read also: Gowon in Benin, endorses Obaseki for another term

“They should realise that if farmers feel bad when their crops are destroyed, it is because the farms are their sources of their livelihood.

“We have identified the cause of the clashes between both sides to include night grazing, use of minors in grazing and influx of herders from other states into Ebonyi, among others.

“The problem will be seriously solved if the provision of the agreement reached by the government, security agencies, herders among others are kept as it seems the committee in charge is not doing its work.

“The provision which states that a farmer should pay for any killed cattle, a herder pay for destroyed farmlands and prosecution of anyone who kills should be observed seriously,” he added.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now