The cattle invasion that rocked an Imo village few days ago has been resolved without clash of interest or war. The Umuezerokam farm land that was destroyed by cattles owned by a Fulani chief who later reported , paid cash compensation to recover his cattles.
The herds of cows that was reportedly arrested and staged at a public gathering place in Umuezerokam village numbering about fifty and above, has been released to the actual owner by Okam security and Community leaders.
The cows numbering about fifty was seen gathering at a public (Ogbakoro) general place in Okam village without a single herder(s) in charge four hours.
When alerted , the village security, made up of vigilant groups and the Hunters security took charge and put calls across to necessary quarters and reported the cattle incident that beseeched their crops in their farms on 14th day of June, 2023 as earlier reported by 9News Nigeria.
Eye witnesses told 9News that the cattles were spotted grazing on Okam farmlands in Nekede Owerri West and destroying cultivated crops like maize, melon, cassava, okro and vegetables to mention but a few before a tip off to the local security groups in the area. The security in Okam village proved quality gallantry and high sense of coordination on this matter.
When contacted, the DPO Umuoma divisional police headquarters sent his men to the scene of incident where they confirmed the level of destruction and damage Herders and their cows have caused farmers in Okam farmlands.
Shortly after the herder disappeared leaving the cattles behind, the matter was taken to the police division in Umuoma Nekede where the owner of the cows and the farmers later came and settled duely.
The estimated cost of destroyed crops in the farmland was immediately put up by the head complainant was calculated up to a million naria but a hundred and fifty thousand naira #150 was finally paid for crops compensation after series of remorseful deliberations.
The families affected are, Mr Anthony Amadi, Snr, Apostle Emma Emeto and Mr Leonard Obiyor and the owner of the cattles identified himself as Ibrahim ,a Fulani from Kaduna State Nigeria who resides in Obinze as 9News reports.
Recall that Umuezerokam town is a vilage in Umuoma Autonomous Community Nekede Owerri West LGA IMO State Nigeria where the incident took place. The Okam village share same boundary with both Avu community and Nekede ancient kingdom towards the otamiri river side.
All the cattles were handed over to Ibrahim in good condition and in completeness in the presence of the police, some Community leaders and the complainants.
9News Nigeria authoritatively reports that the cows/cattles were arrested by Okam security at an alert of such unauthorized grazing that took place on people’s farmland and in the process of initial mere interrogation by Okam security to establish a fact, the Herders cum cattle rearers disappeared from their midst leaving the entire community in fierce suspension and high security tension.
The herds of cows had remained standstill at Okam village public gathering place without any harm unleashed on them and there was no movement of any kind by the animals several hours until the owner, Mr Ibrahim arrived from Obinze Imo state to take back his cows.
This is a warning signal to herders operating within Nekede environ, Owerri West and Imo state at large to desist from feeding their cattles on people’s crops and destroying farmlands owned by Imo farmers.
The incident happened mostly at the heat of harsh economical condition ravaging the society and the country when eventually the cows will serve as good source of meat supply to the villagers.
It is a painful experience that the people have resorted to farming but the destruction of farm crops by Fulani Herders has continued. The damage has to must stop henceforth, otherwise cattles will be seized at intervals to charge owners for compensation of destroyed crops.
-Princely Onyenwe reporting
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