One person was reported killed and crops worth millions of Naira destroyed as herdsmen clashed with farmers in Umuobasiukwu, Ozuitem community in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Leye Oyebade, who confirmed the violence at a press briefing on Monday evening in Umuahia, said that the incident occurred on Sunday.
Oyebade was flanked at the event by the Chairman of Hausa/Fulani community in Abia, Alhaji Danladi Yaro; Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Cosmos Ndukwe; former Chairman of Abia Council of Traditional Rulers and the Traditional Ruler of Umuobasiukwu community, HRM Eze John Akarilo; the Chairman of Miyetti-Allah in the state, Hassan Buba; and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Captain Agwu Awa (rtd).
The CP said that the situation had been brought under control as mobile policemen had been deployed in the community to protect life and property and prevent the escalation of the fracas.
Oyebade said that he had visited the community to ascertain the level of damages and appealed to both parties to sheathe their sword.
He further said that a committee comprising representatives of the herdsmen, Hausa/ Fulani community, the local community, the state government, security agencies and other stakeholders had been constituted to resolve the face-off.
The police boss said that the peace committee would also fashion out ways to bring about a permanent solution to the frequent clashes between herdsmen and their host communities in the area.
Corroborating the CP’s account, the Chairman of Miyettii-Allah in the state, Hassan Bub,a appealed to herdsmen to embrace peace and live in harmony with their host communities.
Source: BreakingTimes