- Vacate S’East forest, Igbo youths fume, call for immediate implementation of law on open grazing
From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
Suspected herdsmen have killed a yet to be identified female farmer in Umuewo- Amala, Isiato in Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State on Sunday morning.
A viral video surfaced online on Monday on the incident explaining how youths of the area discovered her in her farm and what might have led to the incident.
“This a woman killed by herdsmen, she left home in the morning, look at the hoofs of the cows, they might have dragged her inside her farm after the killing, traces of her hands are still there”.The voice said.
From the video,the woman has already been covered with a wrapper while her bicycle ,harvested cassava and stem could be seen inside the farm.
“The woman might have asked them to leave her farm seeing from the damages done to her farm and they killed her instead “.
Meanwhile, Igbo youths under the aegis of the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) has condemned the killing urging the appropriate authorities to unravel those behind the incident.
President General of the youth group,Goodluck Ibem in a statement he released to newsmen on the gruesome murder on Tuesday in Owerri has warned herders in the South East forest to leave following the incidence.
Ibem equally advised the Federal Government to immediately commence the implementation of the open grazing law.
He said “This is not only a heartbreaking loss for her family, friends, and the local community, but it is also a grave injustice that cannot be tolerated under any circumstances.
“Every citizen has the right to life, safety, and protection, and the violent actions of these herdsmen must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. The tragic killing of this woman exemplifies the growing insecurity and disregard for human life that has become all too common in our country.
“The killing of this innocent woman further confirms to doubting thomases that the so called herdsmen are not herdsmen but terrorists on a wicked mission to kill and grab land in South East
“We demand that the Imo State government and relevant authorities should investigate the murder and bring the perpetrators to justice. It is imperative that those responsible for this crime are held accountable, and that the rule of law is upheld.
“The Imo State government, security agencies and youths in our various communities should implement to the later the ban on open grazing while strengthening their security by taking immediate action to bolster security in their villages and farmlands to prevent further attacks, protect farmers, and ensure that such tragedies do not occur again.
“We call on Governor Hope Uzodinma to extend necessary support and assistance to the family of the deceased during this difficult time, as they mourn the loss of their loved one.
“We demand that this attack must not go unpunished, and we stand with the people who demand justice for the victim. May her soul rest in peace, and may the authorities take swift and decisive action to prevent future atrocities.
“We therefore warn the Killer Fulani herdsmen to vacate our forests and farmlands. The law banning open grazing must be obeyed to the later. Enough Said” . Ibem stated.