SUSPECTED HERDSMEN DESTROY LARGE EXPANSE OF RICE FARM IN ANAMBRA STATE

The Police Command in Anambra State has warned herdsmen to guard against grazing on farmlands in the area.

The warning followed the destruction of about fifty hectares of rice farm by suspected herdsmen at Anaku in Ayamelum Local Government Area of the State.

The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Mr. Garba Umar who gave the warning while assessing the extent of damage caused by the invasion, advised herdsmen to respect the law on grazing in the area to forestall clashes with farmers.

Mr. Umar disclosed that the Police Command would convene a meeting of the state cattle menace committee to resolve the issue to avoid any confrontation between the herdsmen and the owners of the rice farm.

The Anambra State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Afam Mbanefo, urged the farmers to continue with their business as government was on top of the situation.

Contributing, the Managing Director of the farm, Mr. Godwin Umeaka who expressed happiness over the quick response of security personnel to control the situation, described the suspected herdsmen invasion of the farm as a recurring issue.

Mr. Umeaka pleaded with government and security agencies to put adequate measures in place to keep the herdsmen away from the farm, noting that it had commenced the construction of a dyke and irrigation canal to help in curtailing their illegal activities.

NDU NWANNA