•Herders engaging in an open grazing in most communities in Nigeria.
A combination of operatives from the 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, and the Police Command in Edo, on Tuesday, waded into the farmer-herders’ clash in Abumwenre community 11, Ovia North East Local Government Area (LGA).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on Monday, there was wide spread report in both the social and conventional media of the sack of the community by suspected herders.
However, on Tuesday, the Army and Police operatives stormed the community for an on-the-spot and first-hand information on the cause of the clash between the farmers and herders.
The Commissioner of Police in Edo, Mr Philip Ogbadu, said on Tuesday in Benin that no community in Edo was sacked by Fulani headers as reported on the social media.
Mr Ogbadu, while addressing media men during the visit, disclosed that the visit of the two security agencies was to get first-hand information about the clash.
According to him, “we were directed to come here for an on-the-spot assessment following the report of the sack of the community, and that is why we came here with journalists to visit the community.
“It was a reported issue of farmer and herders’ clash. No body was killed, and no house was burnt,” he said.
Ogbadu, who was represented by the SP Kontongs Bello, the command’s Public Relations Officer, noted that people were agitated by the story.
“So we are here to douse tension.
“We want to assure the people that are residing here that they are safe. We assure you of the safety of lives and properties.
“This delegation is here to show that the government and security agencies will ensure there is no break down of law and order in the state”.
He noted that the community was calm for now with no further threat.
Meanwhile, the Odiowere of the community, Solomon Omoragbon, said that herders came to the community on Sunday to warn them never to disturb their cows again anytime they see them eating their crops in their farms.
He also disclosed that a majority of the residents have to run away from the community for fear of being attacked by the herdsmen, adding that nobody was killed, and no house burnt.
Another indigene of the community, Osadebamwe Aigbe, said the herders had put fear in residents of the community, which had prompted them to run away from the village for fear of being killed.
He, however, disclosed that their crops like plantain, cassava, yams and other food crops were burnt and destroyed.
Another indigene, Pius Odia, said he was driven back from his farm on Tuesday morning by some suspected herders, with a threat of death if he attempted to disturb the cows from crops in his farm.
NAN, however, reports that several of the houses and buildings in the community were locked up with only very few persons during the time of visit to the agrarian community. (NAN)
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