• I support flushing out bandits, herdsmen – Ebonyi governor
The South East Governors’ Forum has unanimously banned all forms of open grazing in the geopolitical zone.
Chairman of the forum and Governor of Ebonyi State, Engineer Dave Umahi had stated that the development was announced during an APC stakeholder meeting at the Christian Ecumenical Centre Abakaliki, on Monday.
This is coming few days after a 14-days ultimatum was issued to the governors by the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to ban the operations of cattle herders in the public.
Kanu had warned if after 14 days the governors fail to heed the warning, the Eastern Security Network (ESN) would swing into action.
In a statement by the Media and Publicity and Special Assistant to Governor Umahi, Francis Nwaze, the governors had unanimously agreed to ban open grazing within the zone.
The Governor confirmed the Southeast Governors’ Forum had banned the movement of cows by foot into the zone; enjoined leaders to exhibit patriotism in their conduct as to guarantee the unity of the Country.
“We are living in a dangerous time, without patriotism to our nation Nigeria, it is very difficult to have a peaceful time.
“Governors of the south-east have been calling on our leaders to speak out on the security of the zone, and unity of Nigeria. I read on paper where someone said he was giving governors of south-east 7–days to ban open grazing. The governors of south-east had banned open grazing, and movement of cows by foot (into) in each of the States of the south-east . We are managing ourselves well, what we discuss with the herdsmen is the system in place for a long time.
“What our people must know is that Security is not political, what is demanded of the leaders is to put up programs that favors the people and foster national unity.
“In our forests today, we have the kidnappers, herdsmen, cultists, all sorts of criminals; anybody staying in the forest is taking a risk. When we say that people should move out of the forests, it is for their safety and security. So, I support that kidnappers, herdsmen, cultists, and bandits should be flushed out of our forests,” Umahi said.
Nwada Ugochinyere Onyechere reporting, Obinwannem News
