Uzodimma Playing Politics With Our Lives, As Herders Destroy Our Farms, Molest Our People, Obinze, Avu Farmers, U.S Landlord Cry Out

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State and members of Imo State House of Assembly have accused of playing politics with the anti Open Grazing Law while the people suffer.

The people of Avu and Obinze have raised alarm over what they described as destructive intent of herdsmen who have destroyed crops in their farm.

For an Imo born American based professional and renowned philanthropist, Lady Ijeoma Price from Orlu zone has cried out over how herders destroyed her cassava farm.

Speaking with NewsTrack Nigeria (newstrack.com.ng), she said: “I am pained right now. How do I explain this that in a bid to contribute to the food security of my state, I planted Cassava and other food crops only to learn of how herders invaded the farm, destroyed all the cassava plants without any iota of remorse.

“Who takes the responsibility. We are crying over impending food crisis as a result of less farming activities as a result of activities of terrorists in the North and the middle belts.

“My crops are meant to yield either mother or put food on the table but one mindless Fulani herder is there to feed his cow with my crops. He will go about his business, sell off his cows and cares less about what happens to me and my family. This is evil. It is devilish and must be addressed.

“If the members of the House of Assembly and the Government are not ready to do anything about this, they should be ready to compensate every farmer that ever lost a penny from the herders”.

For Mr. Sunny who is in his late 60s, talking to our reported, he wailed uncontrollably. “At my age, I should be getting ready for retirement but because of how difficult things are, I still do dangerous job of a night watchman. I use farming to get garri and vegetables, which I sell to make up for my family. Today, there is nothing in the farm. Some of the landlords handed over their lands for me and gave me the opportunity to farm in them but the crops have all been eaten by cows. Some of the lands were fenced but these wicked herders would come and destroy some parts of the fence to allow their cattle flock in and feed on our crops.

“I urge the government of Uzodimma to do something urgently to avoid a calamity as it would get to a boiling point where the community may resort to self help. No women goes to the farm again because of the feat of herdsmen. Most lands are not even cultivated because it makes no sense to plant and get nothing in return,” he lamented.

Speaking with one of the Youth Leaders, Comrade Njimezi in Avu, he lamented bitterly over the menace, calling for outright ban of open graving in Imo State.

“Governor Hope Uzodimma, I believe, is not unaware of the crisis here in Avu that could lead to to famine. The lands are beside Amarachi Iwuanyanwu’s inherited father’s estate, the deputy speaker, Imo State House of Assembly. It is terrible. Most people have taken their faith into God’s hands. We can no longer farm in our land. We want something to be done urgently to avert violence that may be difficult to manage. We are peace loving and we would want Uzodimma not to steal their joy by feigning ignorance of what is going on in our land”, he stated.

In Obinze, a neighbouring community to Avu Communities both in Owerri West local government area of Imo State, theirs is a double Jeopardy. As they battle for their lands allegedly appropriated Federal University of Technology, Owerri, they are also crying over the wanton destruction of their farms by Fulani herders and their herds of cattle.

Speaking to the Chairman, Comrade Chuks, he said: ” out case in our community is mutli-faceted. We are battling to recover our land to settle our children and at the same time have so much burden of losing our source of livelihood, our farms.

“Our Cassava, maize and vegetables have been erased by grazing cows led by funali herdsmen wielding their machetes. You talk to them at your own peril as they have a cover from the soldiers who they readily throw up as their brothers.

“It is a huge loss for us. We are fighting for our land and also our means of feeding. There has not been cases of violence because our people have been waiting on government. If we choose to react, I am sure, there will be casualties”, he stated.

For Onyekachi from Obinze, he said, “We are aware that many Imo Indigenes and notable groups have called on the Governor Uzodimma to update Imo State Anti-Open Grazing Law and for total ban but he seeks to appear a saint before others while his home state burn. We are watching and we pray God intervenes before people take laws into their hands.