Essential Ndubuisi
By Ejike Abana
As part of measures to mitigate farmers/herders conflict in Anambra state, the Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano has directed the state commissioner of Police, Mr. Monday Kuryas, to produce data of herdsmen operating in the state within one week.
Governor Obiano gave the directive during the expanded Cattle Menace Committee meeting held in Aguleri, Anambra East Council Area.
According to the Governor, the measure will help strengthen the state’s security architecture, emphasizing that itinerant herders and open grazing remains banned in the state.
He added that the local herdsmen who are well known in the state, will be accommodated, atleast to help fish out the bad ones perpetrating crime.
While warning that drastic steps will be taken after the meeting, the Governor said that the ban on night grazing by the Miyetti Allah will help, asking the committee to fix prices to reflect current market value of cows and crop items.
Present at the meeting were security commanders in the state, Speaker of the state Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uchenna Okafor, Secretary to the state government, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu, AVM Ben Chiobi, leadership of the state vigilante in the state, CP Ikechukwu Aduba rtd, traditional rulers, presidents-general, House of Assembly members, youths of affected communities, Miyetti Allah leadership in the state, among others.
The Meeting resolved that those concerned should pay backlog of money owed for items damaged during past crisis in various affected communities.
While it was agreed that the sum of twelve million naira owed to farmers be paid for damaged crops by the herders, six million naira was agreed to be paid to the herdsmen for cows killed, as well as three million naira compensation for the dead, all to be paid within one week.
Issues of kidnapping, among others, were also discussed, with solutions proffered, for immediate action.
