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From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
Herdsmen again has invaded the farmlands of Ndegwu, Amakohia-Ubi and Orogwe communities in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, destroying their crops.
An indigene of one of the communities affected who do not want his name mentioned, said they were presently at the mercy of God as the activities of the herdsmen have cost over N20 million damage to their farms.
According the source,the farmers in these communities have embarked on early harvest of their farm produce especially cassava to avoid it entirely being destroyed and eaten up by the cattle.
“Our farmlands have completely been taken over by herdsmen, they rear their cows in our farmland, all we see in the morning when we come there are pieces and crunches leftovers by the cows.
“Our women and children are even afraid to go to the farms because of the herdsmen, this is a very sad development and we are afraid this might not lead to a confrontation by our youths we have been holding back.”
Meanwhile, the President General of Ndegwu community, Mr. Ozichukwu Iroegbulem, told our correspondent that he has made several efforts to reach the concerned authorities to come to their rescue,but expressed disappointment that nothing has been done after registering his grievances.
He, therefore, called on the State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, and the security agencies in the state to come to their rescue before their peaceful youths becomes confrontational.
“I am really worried by the invasion by herdsmen that moved over 300 cattle about in our communities. I have tried to lay my complaints to the right authorities, but it appears it is not yielding any result.
“My people are predominantly farmers,and we have lost a lot of money by the activities of herdsmen.My people are now hungry because the cows have eaten up their crops,the remnants they have been forced to harvest could not even sustain their hunger, especially now that things are expensive because of the fuel subsidy removal”. Iroegbulem lamented.
