By Goodluck Ikiebe.
Women, in their hundreds, have staged protest in Fugar, headquarters of Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo state, against attacks and destruction of farmlands by those described as herdsmen.
The spokesperson of the group,simply identified as Maimuna, said in an interview that they had to resort to the protest because they could no longer go to their farms to fend for themselves and their families.
She, therefore, called on the relevant authorities to take urgent measures to arrest the situation, which she noted, had become deplorable.
“If you go to the farm, you are either been kidnapped, raped or killed by suspected herdsmen.
Maimuna, a pioneer Head Girl of Fugar Mixed Secondary School, explained that farm produce such as Cassava, Yams and other crops had been destroyed by Cows, adding that when challenged the herdsmen usually resort to attacking farmers, claiming that they bought the land.
“When we asked the village heads and Chiefs about this claim, they denied, stressing that no one accepted to have sold their land” she clarified.
Maimuna said the women in the area did not want the herdsmen any more in their community because of the havoc being perpetrated by them.
Meanwhile, the National Executive Council of Fugar Progressive Union, FPU, a socio Cultural group, says its stance on the issue of Fulani herdsmen was in line with the position of the Edo State government which states that it will not cede any land in the State for grazing.
The National Public Relations Officer, FPU, Mr Solomon Obomighie, said in a statement that NEC also supported the Edo state government stance on the ban on Open Grazing and awaiting the promulgation of the anti- open grazing law and further directives on implementation.
“To holistically address the issues of security in our community, the planning of a stakeholders meeting on Security is ongoing and the Central Working Committee of FPU has already been scheduled for Saturday, 28th August”, he disclosed.
FPU appreciated all “Fugarians” for their concern and contributions toward security issues and encouraged them to be calm and law abiding.
