The Chairman of Ukwa West LGA of Abia State, Azu Newman has set up a peace and reconciliation committee to forestall a clash between herders and farmers in Obibor community.
The setting up of the committee followed the destruction of farm crops in Obibor by cattle allegedly belonging to herdsmen, which sparked outrage among the indigenous farmers, especially the youths.
Village sources had said that leaders of the herdsmen reported some members of Obibor to the Rapid Response Squad of the Nigerian Police, Obehie, calling for the community youths’ arrest.
The source further said that the call for the arrest of the indigenes created tension in Obibor.
But intervening in the matter, the Chairman of Ukwa West LGA, Azu Newman inaugurated a peace and reconciliation team, to be headed by Miracle Nwarie.
The local government chairman cautioned herdsmen against allowing their cattle to destroy peoples crops in farms, said the crops were the peoples’ source of livelihood especially at this time of economic hardship in the country.
Azu Newman equally appealed to indigenes of Obibor to be patient, assuring them that the reconciliation committee was set up to bring a lasting peace in their land and also address their concerns even.
The LG chairman urged the herdsmen to withdraw the petition against Obibor youths from the Rapid Response Squad.
The meeting was attended by the Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ukwa West, Rev. Prince Nana and some top members the community, representatives of Northern community as well as representatives of various security agencies, among others.
The Abia State Government had in August set up a similar committee tasked with promoting peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders, preventing clashes as well as identifying root causes of the crises.
Abia LGA chairman sets up committee to prevent clash between indigenes, herdsmen