ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- There is palpable tension in Iwollo community in Ezeagu local government area of Enugu State as suspected herdsmen invade farmlands in the community.
The villagers, since after the invasion of their farmlands, said they have been counting their losses.
They therefore called on the state government to intervene and save them from the destructive activities of herders in the community.
They also asked the leadership of the Hausa/Fulani community in the state to intervene and put an end to the invasion and destruction of their farms.
A video of the invasion seen on Monday, shows large herds of cattle eating cassava and local beans (akidi) on the farms, Sahara Reporters stated.
A voice in the background could be heard narrating the incident and warning that their youths would take their destinies into their hands if nothing is done urgently to save the situation.
The narrator said the incident happened on a farm in Iwollo community, lamenting that herdsmen have destroyed their farmland and crops while grazing their cattle.
“They want to create hunger for us. They enter our cassava farms, uproot them and feed their cattle while the animals destroy the remaining crops.
“You need to visit the community to see for yourself what we are suffering from. The blossoming akidi and cassava on the farms were being eaten by the cattle as the herders allowed. They were just roaming the farms as if the crops were not owned by humans.
“Our people are now afraid to go to the farms, just to avoid a clash with them. But I think we can no longer wait for the authorities to rein them in. What they are destroying is our livelihood.
“If you meet them now to ask why they are destroying the crops, they will kill the person and nothing will happen. The police and other security agencies here are protecting them and that is why they carry their cows to enter any farm and eat up everything with impunity,” the narrator laments.
The villagers further called on the state government and security agents to come to their aid so that they can continue to farm and prevent hunger.
Efforts to speak with the state police command were unsuccessful as the spokesman, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, did not answer his calls on his mobile phone.