ENUGU ATTACK: IMO POLICE READ RIOT ACT TO HERDSMEN

Imo State Police Command has warned that it would not deal kindly with anybody or group of persons that will ignite any form of crisis in the state. The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Taiwo Lakanu, read the riot act yesterday while addressing Okigwe royal fathers and representatives of Fulani and Hausa communities in the area. He said: “The prevailing circumstances in parts of the country call for restraint and caution. We have been hearing rumour of attacks and counter- attacks. I must warn that the Command will not hesitate to fall heavily on perpetrators of such a crime. “If I have a farm, I will look forward to a bumper harvest. I will not be happy to see people take their cows into my farmland. “Similarly, I would not like anybody to kill my cows. There are very unruly people around us. If there is any problem, do not take laws into your hands. Please report to the nearest police station.” Speaking also, the Chairman of Okigwe Traditional Rulers’ Council, Eze Bernard Alisi, said they had been living in peace with the Hausa/Fulani in Okigwe for years, but quickly added “what we are seeing these days is fearful and distasteful. “We are sad that these days, herdsmen carry assault rifles. What do you expect farmers to do when they go to their farms and see herdsmen carrying AK-47 rifles? Herdsmen should please drop their guns.” Responding on behalf of his colleagues, Alhaji Yahaya Biu appealed to the royal fathers and indigenes to report any herdsman they see carrying assault rifles to the nearest police station. “We do not want the things that happened in Nasarawa, Benue and Enugu states to happen here in Imo,” Alhaji