Herdsmen and farmer clashes: Ebonyi government seeks rigorous profiling of herdsmen

The Ebonyi government has called for stringent enforcement of herdsmen profiling to address the incessant clashes between them and farmers in the state.

Governor David Umahi on Friday in Abakaliki called during a stakeholders meeting convened by the state Commissioner of Police to work out ways to continuously check clashes.

Umahi, represented by Stanley Okoro-Emegha, Commissioner for Borders, Peace and Internal Security, expressed disappointment that the government’s directive on profiling herdsmen was not rigorously enforced.

The governor said no more than three local government areas are covered by such a state-enforced directive, making it difficult to monitor the activities of herders across the state.

“Enforcing the profiling policy would help in identifying the location of herders as they migrate from one location to another and their activities.

“The state government has banned road grazing and animal husbandry by underage herders, but such directives are often flouted.

“The fact is that inland grazers do not participate in this meeting and unfortunately their leaders do not provide them with resolutions from such meetings,” he said.

He also urged pastoralist leaders when offering various appointments in the state to see them as a calling of service and not political patronage.

“They were offered appointments so that they could monitor the activities of their hinterland subjects and ensure they live harmoniously with farmers in their host communities.

“However, this goal is not being realized because government guidelines to ensure such a harmonious existence are constantly disregarded,” he said.

Ebonyi Commissioner of Police (CP), Aliyu Garba, has urged relevant stakeholders to strive to create a peaceful and enabling environment for both herdsmen and farmers to operate across the state.

“The Nigerian constitution allows citizens to move from one part of the country to another and engage in various economic activities.

“It was decided in this meeting that the concerned parties should strictly follow the laws governing herdsmen and farmers in the state.

“The management of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association should monitor and ensure strict compliance by herdsmen with state laws,” he said.

Chief Eni Uduma, the chairperson of Afikpo South Local Government Area of ​​the state, has called for a check on hate messages being spread by some groups in the state that have foisted herdsmen on citizens.

Alhaji Umar Adoro, State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has urged traditional rulers and other stakeholders to check the activities of illicit drug users who are largely perpetuating violence in their areas.