Guardian

ABIA State government has declared that destruction of crops and farmlands as a result of cattle rearing in the state has become a problem difficult to tackle.

The Deputy Governor, Sir Emeka Ananaba, who spoke on the issue while receiving the Akanu Ukwu Ohafia community representatives that carried their protest against the menace of cattle rearing and herdsmen in their lands to his office, reiterated the government’s determination to find lasting solution to the matter.

He said unless the menace is addressed, farmers in the cattle ravaged areas who secured some loans for farming would find it difficult repaying it and may not continue farming as cattle further devastate their farmlands.

In their petition which they read out to the deputy governor, the community leaders state that “ we are compelled to bring this petition to you sir as our last hope for a peaceful resolution of what has become a perennial, calculated and deliberate provocative activity by the Hausa/Fulani Cattle rearers.”

Before arriving the Government House, the protesters, led by Chief Ochereome Okpanku, had carried out peaceful demonstration along major streets of Umuahia with placards expressing their anger over the menace which they claimed wreck havoc on their farms and resulting in loss of lives and revenue.