Group seeks end to incessant killing by alleged herdsmen to boost farming

Herdsmen
Abakaliki, April 17, 2018 (NAN) The Abakaliki Urban Community Forum in Ebonyi has urged the Federal Government to permanently check incessant killings by suspected herdsmen across the country to boost 2018 farming season.

Rev. Anayo Ilo, President of the Forum, an umbrella body of all urban dwellers in Ebonyi made the call on Tuesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki.

Ilo remarked that the heinous killing of innocent Nigerians especially farmers across the country, was making the citizens lose confidence in the government’s ability to protect them.

He said that that many farmers were afraid of entering their farmlands for fear of being attacked by herdsmen.

“The killings give credence to the recent calls from prominent Nigerians, that the citizens should defend themselves from these marauders’ onslaughts.

“It is further an ominous sign that things are not working well in the country, especially in the area of security,” he said.

The group’s president remarked that the federal government can permanently check the killings with sufficient commitment haven reasonably contained Boko Haram activities among other security challenges.

“The herdsmen killings have affected almost every part of the country including Ebonyi, in Ivo, Ikwo and Izzi Local Government Areas.

“The citizens believe that the killings are Boko Haram activities in disguise as the rural dwellers in particular, are continually living in fear,” he said.

NAN reports that members of the forum pledged their support to success of the new leadership under Ilo as the immediate past president, Chief George Obi performed the official handover ceremony. (NAN)

RCO/OIF/MNA
Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Maureen Atuonwu