An umbrella body of Igbo farmers under the aegis of Igbo Farmers Progressive Union, IPFU, has applauded the decision of the South East Governors Forum, SEGF, to take up strategic actions to salvage the region from the menace of killer herdsmen and other related crimes.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by Chairman of the group, Chief Maxi Okwu, and its Secretary, Comrade Uchenna Nnadi, IPFU who hailed the resolution reached by the Governors after their meeting in Enugu on August 31, said “we’re encouraged that suddenly, our political leaders are seemingly waking up to the deadly menace constituted by herdsmen terror on our people; destruction and devastation on our lands and farms.”
The group, however, said they are concerned that the resolutions seems to hinge on pious hope, without legal backing, asking the governors to enact laws in their respective states to enhance their decisions.
IPFU noted that, “So long as there is no positive action by way of legislation through our five State Houses of Assembly, all the measures will end up as another paper tiger.”
The Igbo farmers added, “We recall that on 28th July, 2019 another communique was issued which as we communicate has not curbed the problem. Only Enugu state announced a Forest Guards initiative, which we argued was a mere surplus-age as this corps (unit) already exists in the forestry commission of the Ministry of Environmental Affairs of the State. What happened? The Herdsmen terror in Enugu state rather than abate increased.
“What was lacking was legislation, like an Anti-Open Grazing Law, expanding the mandate of the Forest Guards and giving them legal teeth to tackle the Herdsmen not trees. We have already prepared a draft bill which we believe is comprehensive and would be forwarding as our little contribution to a resolution of this menace.
“We recommend a timeline for all states to enact necessary legislation to enforce the resolution, otherwise it will end up as the earlier communique of 28th July, 2019.”
The group further recommended that the interstate security committee must also be backed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that would articulate a security template for Alaigbo.
According to the statement, “We are aware however, that the Federal Government has total operational control of the security apparatus of Nigeria. Our Governors must (in tandem with the Igbo National Assembly caucus) lobby the President to extract a firm commitment that the security agencies deployed to Alaigbo must be reflective, sensitive and friendly to the security needs of the area. As it stands we were in no way encouraged when we read the ethnic slant of the top security personnel invited to a meeting in Ala Igbo and there was no top officer from our area.
On the closure of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, the group expressed dissatisfaction that all the requests made to the president by the governors in the communique dated 28th July, 2019 were not acted upon before the closure of the airport.
It said: “We recall all the proactive steps taken by the FGN (Federal Government of Nigeria) when the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja, was shut down for repairs. Nothing similar was done in the present case, providing another reminder that we are the 5%. While we note the presence of the Minister of Aviation at the meeting, we advise the Governors not to wait on the FGN, but to take steps to protect the interest of our people by pooling resources and engaging in self-help for which our people are known for. ‘Onye ajụrụ anaghị ajụ onwe ya.’”
IPFU concluded that “the repudiation of Operation Egwu Eke by the governors: a little too late, but better late than never as the saying goes.”
