Traditional ruler of Abala community in Obingwa council, Eze Paul Ekwenye, has sent an urgent appeal to Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu to save his community from Fulani herdsmen who invaded their farm lands, Vanguard reports.
Ekwenye told the newspaper that herdsmen numbering up to 200 cows attacked some women in their farms, as well as traders from Akwa Ibom state who were on their way to the Orie market in the community.
He appealed to the state government to deploy security agents to the community, which is a border town to Akwa Ibom State. He said: “For five days now, Fulani herdsmen invaded our farm lands; they attacked women who went to their farm. Traders from Akwa Ibom state who were on their way to our Orie market said to me that they were also attacked. Some of the women said the herdsmen were shooting guns. We invited the Police, but the herdsmen ran away and came back when the Police left. There is tension in this community; every resident is afraid of his life and property. They have used their cows to destroy our crops.
“This is the way they invaded Ukpabi Nimbo community in Enugu state and killed people. We don’t want to be killed in our home. So, we are appealing to Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu to deploy security agents to help secure Abala community.”
Chairman of the Council of Village Heads, Abala community, Ndubuisi Sampson, who said he has warned the community vigilance group not to take laws into their hands, disclosed that some residents of the community have fled their homes and are now taking refuge at the Eze’s palace while others have relocated to their relations in neighbouring communities.
Police Public Relations Officer, Abia State Police Command, ASP Ogbonnaya Nta, who had earlier denied the report, could not be reached.
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