THE Umomi/Ikpokejo community in Ofu local government area of Kogi State on Tuesday raised the alarm over the looming crisis due to the invasion of farmlands by herdsmen operating in the area.
The development, according to the community, might lead to the breakdown of law and order if not promptly checked, urging the state government and security agencies to wade in.
A statement by the community signed by one of its leaders, Mr Agabi Agboni, and made available to newsmen in Lokoja, the state capital, accused a native of Ejule (Names withheld) of aiding and abetting the herdsmen.
The native was alleged to have encouraged the herdsmen to enter the farmlands, destroyed and attacked women and children in the farms during this year’s harvest season.
Agboni, who noted that the herdsmen attack three years ago led to the death of about seven persons, including three graduates, said it took the intervention of the Attah of Igala, Michael Idakwo before the carnage was brough6 under control.
The statement attributed the poor response of the state government towards the crises to misinformation and mishandling of the dispute by the police, saying the frequency of the invasion by the herdsmen has caused the communities a lot of crop damage and water pollution.
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“We are using this medium to call on the state government to immediately set up a mutually acceptable mechanism in order to forestall the escalation of these increasing threats to the lives and property of our community members by these herdsmen.
“As law-abiding citizens of the state, we would not take laws into our hands, hence this ‘Save Our Soul’ to the state government, but we would surely defend our property and protect the pride and dignity of our women folks from the unconscionable attempt of raping our women on the farm by these remorseless herders in our communities” the statement noted.
While calling on the security agents in the state to rise up and investigate without further delay the possession of illicit firearms and other dangerous weapons, the community leader urged the security agencies to bring the perpetrators and their collaborators to book according to the law to enable the people to have peace of mind in the communities.
