Tension has been brewing in Ogbole Ogume community, Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta, over the invasion of farmlands by herdsmen.
A recent meeting held at the NSCDC office in Kwale was aimed at addressing the issue, involving Mr. Sky, a herder from Aboh Community in Ndokwa East LGC, whose cattle had been destroying crops and farmlands in the area.
The Delta State Livestock Management Committee, led by Mr. Ujene Ossai, investigated the matter and discovered that Mr. Sky’s claims of having two herdsmen with two groups of cattle were false.
Instead, they found four boys and three groups of cattle in his camp, with the third group belonging to someone else.
The committee has directed Mr. Sky to inform the owner of the third group of cattle to vacate the area within 24 hours or face the law, aiming to protect the farmlands and crops of the Ogbole Ogume community from further destruction.
This incident is not isolated, as farmer-herder conflicts have been a recurring issue in the State. Some notable incidents include.
Residents of Obetim-Uno in Ndokwa East LGC had reported early this year that herdsmen had destroyed crops and farmlands worth over N100 million.
The Uwheru community in Ughelli North LGC also experienced an invasion by Fulani herdsmen with over 50,000 cattle, leading to the destruction of crops and displacement of farmers.
Suspected herdsmen reportedly shot dead two farmers, Okwuoma and Isichei, in Ubulu Okiti community, Aniocha South Local Government Area
The Delta State Government has taken steps to address the issue, including establishing a Livestock Management Committee to implement the anti-open grazing law and promote peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders.
The committee is expected to profile herdsmen and cattle owners.
This would help to curb violence against farmers and ensure accountability.
The committee is also to educate stakeholders, including herdsmen, local farmers, and government officials, on their roles in implementing the anti-open grazing law.
The meeting at the NSCDC office in Kwale marked a significant step towards resolving the farmer-herder conflict in Ogbole Ogume community.
The committee’s directive to Mr. Sky and the government’s efforts to profile herdsmen and implement the anti-open grazing law aimed to protect the rights of farmers and promote peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders in Delta State.
