The Chairman of Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State, Sunny Afurobi, has convened an emergency security meeting following allegations that cattle destroyed farmlands in Obinolu and Ngodo communities.
The meeting brought together security chiefs, community leaders, representatives of the Hausa community, and the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in the South-East.
The meeting followed a protest by women from Obinolu over the alleged destruction of their farms by cattle, with affected farmers calling for government intervention.
Afurobi said the alleged destruction of cassava, beans, maize, and melon farms was threatening the livelihoods of rural residents who depend largely on agriculture.
He urged stakeholders to work together to prevent the situation from escalating and assured residents that resolutions reached at the meeting would be implemented to protect lives, livelihoods, and peaceful coexistence.
Community representatives alleged that cattle had uprooted cassava and trampled other crops. They also raised concerns over alleged harassment of women and farmers and called for enforcement of restrictions on open grazing.
Representatives of the Hausa community and MACBAN condemned the destruction of farms and reportedly dissociated their communities from illegal open grazing.
The council also agreed to summon cattle breeders operating in Umunneochi for a fact-finding meeting and warned that those who fail to attend could face legal and security measures.
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