Farmers protest against destruction of farmland, by herdsmen in Kogi

AbdulAhad Otuoze
Farmers from Egbe Community in Yagba West local government council in Kogi State have protested against the incessant destruction of farmlands and crops worth millions of naira by some suspected Fulani herdsmen.
The protest which took place on Monday morning saw all farmers within and around community crying wailing as they called on the State government to urgently intervene to avoid break of law and order in the area.
The spokesman of the farmers, Mr.Wale Oti who spoke to newsmen on the incident lamented that the way and manner in which the farms and crops waiting for harves have been destroyed are unquantifiable.
Oti explained that Egbe is a boundary town between Kogi and Kwara State, with about 50,000 inhabitant whose major source of livelihood is farming.
He stated majority of the farmers have been enduring incessant distraction on their farmlands for years, but situation became worst with the warm reception by the Kogi state government to the herdsmen who came in droves to settle here.
“Majority of the farmers who has labouring on their farms since the onset of raining season, who are optimistic of having something to harvest got to their farms on Sunday morning to see total grazing down of their farm.
“This brought about the peaceful protest to the traditional tiller of the town.Several report has been made to the Elegbe of Egbe, Oba Ayo Irukera to call the herdsmen to order, but we are making another one to further butress our bitterness and pain toward what the herdsmen are doing for us.
“As they began the peaceful protest this morning, police officers came to dislodge them, but farmers mobilize themselves peaceful and went to the palace of Elegbe.
“Arrest was made yesterday of two cow who were caught on a farm yesterday, so farmers could not go to the police station to avoid harassment
“While the protest was going on two Fulani herdsmen were found with gun, they were disarmed and taking to police station, he stated.
He therefore called on the urged the Kogi state government to call the herdsmen in the area to order to avoid incessant Farmers/herdmen clahes.