Stakeholders in Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State have directed herders in Emere community to vacate their farmlands within 48 hours, warning of consequences if they fail to comply.
The resolution was reached during a stakeholders’ meeting held on Tuesday at the Ankpa Local Government Secretariat, following repeated complaints of farmland destruction by cattle.
Ankpa council chairman, Engr. Adamu Muhammed Yahaya, said on Thursday that the community would no longer tolerate the losses being inflicted on farmers.
“We cannot fold our arms and watch cattle destroying the farm crops that are sustaining the livelihoods of the people,” he stated.
“I am impressed with the level of peace we have enjoyed in Ankpa. However, we must ensure that our farmers can cultivate their lands without disruption or fear of harm or crop destruction, especially during this farming season. My administration is fully committed to ensuring that farmers and every resident of Ankpa have a secure environment and can go about their daily activities,” he added.
Elder statesman and community stakeholder, Alhaji Abubakar Hassan, explained that the meeting became necessary due to the destruction of crops by herders’ cattle.
“The community can no longer tolerate the activities of these herders whose main aim is to destroy our crop farms to boost their own livestock business, to the detriment of our farmers,” he said.
“We agreed unanimously that the herdsmen should prepare for their relocation from Emere land to pave the way for farmers to cultivate their crops during this cropping season,” Hassan added.
The Senior Gago of Emere, His Royal Highness Ayuba Jibrin, commended the council chairman and stakeholders for their approach to resolving the tension, assuring that youths in the area have been cautioned against attacking herders or harming cattle during the relocation process.
On his part, Mallam Dantata, a leader of the herders in Ankpa, thanked the community for the cooperation they had extended in the past.
At press time, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Kogi State Police Command, SP William Aya, had yet to respond to calls and messages.
(DAILY TRUST)
