SAN FRANCISCO, April 02, (THEWILL) – Some youths in Cross River have organised themselves into Coalition for Eradication of Fulani Herdsmen in Communities, CFEFHC, handing a 24-hour ultimatum to herdsmen to leave the state or face massive attack.
The youths feared that the kind of attacks witnessed in Agatu, Edo and Enugu might recur in the state
if the ongoing invasion of their communities in Obio Usiere in Odukpani and some communities in the northern part of the state were not nipped in the bud.
Fulani herdsmen had last week invaded Obio Usiere community in Eniong Abati of Odukapni Local Government Area and allegedly killed 10 persons. The herdsmen accused the community of stealing their cattle and were irked that after series of complaints nothing was done.
The Village Head of Obio Usier, Iya Effiong Orok, said the herdsmen normally come to their community during the dry season to graze, and added that two years ago, the same incident occurred when two people were shot dead.
But while bemoaning the level of destruction, the youths’ group Coordinator, Emmanuel Edet, said “the herdsmen have become a source of sorrow and harbinger of death to their host communities.”
He lamented that it was only in Nigeria that cattle rearers were allowed to move about with arms while security operatives looked the other way, adding that youths will protect their communities from further invasion if the development was not checked.
Edet said: “What happened in Eniong, last week, is an eye-opener and we will not hesitate to reply them if they try it again.
“Only a fool will fold his hands and see a visitor come to take over his house. We have written to our community leaders to stop forthwith giving the herdsmen grazing land since they have come to maim, kill and destroy our community.
“We are also planning massive protest round border communities where they reside, to warn them to live within the tradition and customs of their host communities or quit within 24 hours as we will make life unbearable for them,” he stated.
