Some groups of Fulani herders have alleged that they are being persecuted and killed by some communities in Ebonyi State and the government remains reluctant and adamant despite repeated complaints.
Some of the herders, who are now relocating, confided in BBC Hausa service on Wednesday, saying that in 2020, at least 21 of their members were killed and their residences burnt and the police and the government are not willing to bring the perpetrators to justice.
“Not long ago, they came back and killed two of our cows. Following that, we have been receiving threats that they will come and burn our houses, after they did that to our brothers in another community.
“As a result of that, we are living in fear. Whenever we go out, our families are jittery of attack. That (is) the reason we are relocating. We are many, I can’t give (an) exact number of those relocating.
“In Ebonyi State in 2020, 21 herders were killed and we cannot account for the number of cows that have been killed and no attack goes unreported to the police and most of the deaths that occurred, its the police that use to retrieve the corpse.
“For the cows killed, the police will come and confirm the incident and videotape the scene,” the relocating herder said.
One of the leaders of the herders in the state also said in Ebonyi, herders are not safe. “We receive frequently, complaints of attacks from one location to another in Ebonyi. The attack on herders is everywhere in the state except Eko area where the Fulani and residents are living in peace.”
The herders also denied wrongdoing over alleged encroachment of farmlands, saying no herder is above the law, and such person caught doing so should be prosecuted.
-premium times.
No comments:
Post a Comment