–Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) –By Michael EKOKORUWE:
The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Isoko South local government area, CSP Mohammed Nahala, has averted impending crisis between farmers and Fulani herdsmen at Emedel farmland Okpe – Olomoro over malicious destruction of crops and farmland in the area.
Farmers at Okpe – Olomoro had overtime decried incessant destruction of their crops and farmland by herdsmen who converted farmland to grazing field for their cattle that has deprived them of peaceful co–existence leading to buildup to strife that is capable of creating anarchy, break down of law and order.
CSP Nahala got the information and waded into the impending crisis as farmers of the area reported the malicious destruction of their crops by the Fulani herdsmen cattle’s grazing on their crops in spite of several warning turned down by the herders.
While calling on the Divisional Police Officer to prevail on the recalcitrant herdsmen who despite several peaceful approach by the farmers, have continued grazing on crops and farmland, claiming that they have bought the area for grazing purposes and that farmers should fence their crops to avoid cattle grazing on their farm.
CSP Nahala being proactive, sent policemen and vigilante from Olomoro community to access the extent of crops and farmland destroyed by the cattle at Emedel farmland Okpe – Olomoro, and visited the reported self acclaimed RUGA created by the herdsmen at Olomoro farmland.
The policemen and vigilante confirmed the malicious destruction of crops and farmland at Emedel farmland Okpe – Olomoro and the purported RUGA at Otoeteru land close to Okpe – Olomoro.
The herdsmen took to their heels as the policemen and vigilante approached the area, leaving their cattle. The police contacted the herdsmen leader Alhaji Audu Kadir for interrogation.
When interrogated at Oleh, headquarter of the divisional police office, Isoko South local government area,
Alhaji Kadir confirmed the destruction of crops at Emedel farmland Okpe – Olomoro by his cattle and accepted to pay damages.
He however denied buying any farmland for grazing at Olomoro community, noting that his boys lied and promised to relocate from the area.
The police boss in his wisdom urged Alhaji Kadir to sign undertaken with the police in presence of the farmers and cautioned his boys to steer clear of Okpe – Olomoro farmland area.
He reiterated the importance of cordial relationship between farmers and herders in Olomoro community, adding that crops and farmland area must be avoided during herdsmen grazing rout.
It could be recalled that, Chief Gabriel Erueme from Olomoro, shot one of the cows owned by Alhaji Kadir at Okpe – Olomoro farmland recently, over same malicious destruction of crops in his farm. The incident which involved the Nigeria Army with Heritage Energy Oil Services Limited attached to Olomoro / Oleh flow station, caused panic in the area before it was resolved.
