By Goodluck Ikiebe.
Women in their hundreds have staged protest in Fugar, headquarters of Etsako Central Local Government Area, against attacks and destruction of farmlands by herdsmen.
The spokesperson simply identified as Mrs Maimuna, said in an interview that they have to resort to the protest because they can no longer go to their farms to fend for themselves and families.
She said the women is calling on the authorities to take urgent measures to arrest the situation, which has become deplorable.
“If you go to the farm, you are either been kidnapped, raped or killed by suspected herdsmen, which she claimed to be Fulanis.
Mrs Maimuna, a pioneer Head Girl of Fugar Mixed Secondary School, explained that their farm produce like Cassava, Yams and other crops have been destroyed by Cows, when you challenge them, they attack you, saying the land has been bought by them”
“When they asked the village heads and Chiefs about this claim, it was denied as no one accepted to have sold their land” she clarified.
Mrs Maimuna said the women don’t want them again in their community because of the havoc being perpetrated by the herdsmen.
Meanwhile, the National Executive Council of Fugar Progressive Union, FPU, a socio Cultural group, says its stand on the issue of Fulani herdsmen is in line with the position of the Edo State government, which states that it will not cede any land in the State for grazing.
The National Public Relations Officer, FPU, Mr Solomon Obomighie, said in a statement that NEC also supports the Edo state government stand on the ban on Open Grazing and is awaiting the promulgation of the anti- open grazing law and further directives on implementation.
“To holistically address the issues of security in our community, the planning of a stakeholders meeting on Security is ongoing and the Central Working Committee of FPU has already been scheduled for Saturday, 28th August”, it stated.
The statement appreciated all Fugarians for their concern and contributions towards security and encouraged them to be calm and law abiding.
