uncertainty and uneasy calm is pervading a certain area of Imo State following the heavy presence of Fulani cattle rearers in Ohaji/Egbema council area of the state.
It would be recalled that there were skirmishes in some North Central Zone of Nigeria facilitated by differences between itinerant Fulani herdsmen and locals in Benue and Nassarawa states. The clashes led to the invitation of the military who moved in to install peace in the area.
However, residents of Ohaji/Egbema especially those in Umagwo, umuapu, Ihie part of Ohaji area are living in fear following the presence of some herdsmen who have returned to the communities with their cattle for grazing. What is however fueling the renewed fear in minds of the people is the heavy presence and reported threats from the Fulani herdsmen who easily pronounced to the villagers about their linkage to a dreaded sect tormenting Nigerians in the northern part of the country.
The Ohaji area which is the food basket of Imo State has been a fertile ground for the Fulani herdsmen who partly resided within that precinct because of the rich vegetation and conducive environment.
Our reporter who took on the spot investigation after the locals raised alarm discovered that not less than five thousand cattle were found around the Umuagwo-Umuapu stretch from Nkarahia junction and Ihie a suburb and agrarian community with common boundary with Rivers state. Apart from suffering loses ranging from the destruction and plundering of rich agricultural products that have become the mainstay of the local economy, the people are living in perpetual fear of attack and hostile gestures from the dreaded Fulani men who were accused of attacking the locals in the past.
our reporter who visited Ihie in Umuapu community observed that the area is the worst hit as farmers have been suffering loses from the unwholesome acts of the herdsmen and their cattle that ravage agricultural products. a community leader and former councilor who represented the community in the LGA Legislative chamber Hon Joseph Chocho Amadi said that the renewed menacing activities of the marauding Fulani herdsmen have brought another reign of terror and expected hardship in the community. according to Chocho whose farm was also ravaged the residents of the area have resorted to faith following threats they received from the fulani cattle rearers who threatened them by claiming they are members of a dreaded sect in the Northern region.
The community leader disclosed that people of the area are yet to overcome the sad scenarios they experienced in the hands of the Fulani herdsmen who not only tormented them but raped and killed men and women who dare complain over their activities in the farms. He
