Herdsmen: Obiano wakes from slumber, summons Fulani leaders

Following the hoopla associated with his absence from the meeting of South East governors, Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, has summoned a meeting of Fulani leaders.

Photo: Governor Obiano and IGP Arase during the latter’s visit to the state

Also summoned are monarchs of agrarian communities in the state and the state government to fashion out a proactive response to herdsmen’s activities.

Governor Obiano addressed the meeting on Friday at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, Anambra State.

Obiano noted that there were suspicious movements in some parts of the state.

He said that they were being monitored to ensure that there would not be a threat to the security of the state.

He said, “What we intend to do is to send the Fulani that are living with us here to go and meet with the Fulani in that area with a view to finding out whether they are coming in peace or otherwise.

“More importantly, we want the Fulani in this committee to tell the members of this committee if their people are nursing any grievance in whatever form.”

The governor noted that at the beginning of his administration, he had set up a special committee.

The committee was to nurture a mutual relationship between the Hausa/Fulani community in the state and their hosts.

“I don’t want anybody to take laws into their hands. 

“That is why we set up this committee and we have agreed that compensation should be paid for any losses on either side. 

“That is the way to co-exist in a multi-ethnic and diverse society.

“We agreed at the Security Council Meeting that we will not allow herdsmen to carry arms. 

“That is a clear directive from Abuja. 

“If you see herdsmen with AK47, report them to the police early enough so that they can be picked up,” the governor said.

He said Fulani herdsmen are used to be known with their “long sticks and daggers” which they wielded to protect their cows.

“But these Fulani herdsmen that carry AK47 riffles are worrisome. 

“We don’t want what happened in Enugu to happen here. 

“But if the three options we are proposing fail, we are ready to defend ourselves.”

At the end of the meeting with Fulani leaders, the governor, however, failed to account for his absence at the meeting of south East governors and selected stakeholders.

The meeting was attended by:

– Former governor of Anambra State, Sir Peter Obi

– Deputy Senate President, senator Ike Ekweremadu

– Former governor of lmo State, Ikedi Ohakim

– Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu

– Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi

– Host governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, et al.

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