10 Anambra communities lament as herdsmen destroy farmlands

RESIDENTS of 10 communities in Awka North local government area of Anambra State have lamented the destruction of their farmlands by suspected herdsmen.

The affected people say the destruction had become a daily occurrence for sometime.

Former chairman of Awka North local government area, Chief Shedrack Anakwue said yesterday that the herdsmen’s menace in the area was becoming increasingly worrisome, adding that the action had led to astronomical rise in the prices of agricultural produce which is the main source of income for the people of the area.

According to him, the herdsmen had left many families in pitiable situation as their source of livelihood, which is their farmlands, had been totally destroyed.

Anakwue accused the leadership of one of the communities of allegedly striking a ‘deal’ with the herdsmen, thereby allowing them to operate unhindered in the community.

He said: “When you confront the herdsmen, they tell you that they have settled the leaders of the community.”

President General of Ebenebe, one of the affected 10 communities, Mr Paul Nnatuanya, said the inordinate activities of herdsmen had become very worrisome, claiming that between September last year and now, farmers in the community had lost over N100 million to herdsmen.

“Herdsmen are destroying our farmlands. All the towns in Awka North are not free from their dastardly acts.

“They even come to graze their cattle in people’s houses and when you tell them to move, they will be looking at you as if you are talking to the cows,” he stated.