Imo Assembly to Security Agencies, secure farmers, farmlands

Austin Okoro DDM NEWS

The Imo state House of Assembly has called on Security Agencies like the Army, Police, Civil Defence Corps, Local Vigilante and others to secure farmers and farmhands within Imo state.

The 9th Assembly urges the government of Imo state led by Sen. Hope Uzodinma to as a matter of urgency provide adequate security measures that would curb insecurity to farmers as to avoid financial losses.

Citizen Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha of the media unit of the house stated this in a Release of Thursday 27th February 2025.

It states: “In a bid to nip in the bud persistent insecurity of farmlands and farmers, the Imo State House of Assembly has urged the Imo State Government to provide adequate security measures, so that it will not lead to financial losses for the farmers, escalate food insecurity situation in the State and thereafter force farmers to resort to self help.

This was the outcome of the Motion which was Chiefly sponsored by the Member Representing Nkwerre State Constituency, Hon Barrister Chisom Ojukwu, during Plenary on Thursday 27th February 2025.

Moving the Motion, Hon Ojukwu bemoaned the frustrating situations farmers are experiencing in their farmlands in Imo State, as a result of insecurity challenges.

He noted that food security is essential to the State, and the production of food and other agricultural products are equally essential for the survival of the entire populace of Imo.

Hon Barrister Chisom Ojukwu, who is also the House Committee Chairman On Budget And Appropriation, explained he had earlier championed the reintroduction of Demonstration farms in schools, as well as initiating the move for everyone to embrace agriculture in the State.

He however noted that there is need to protect farmlands and farmers otherwise there would be crisis situation in the State.

This, the only voice from Nkwerre State Constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly, said was as a result of several complaints by farmers of criminal invasion in the State which has brought negative impact on the economic and social well-being.

Specifically, the lawmaker further said “scavengers” are ravaging farmlands and stealing even pigs and other economic animals, while destroying economic crops with their cattles.

Sounding a note of caution, he said, *”if this persistent insecurity of farmlands and farmers is not nipped in the bud, it will not only lead to financial losses for the farmers, but also exacerbates the food insecurity in the State, and farmers may resort to self help which may give rise to a very serious security concern in Imo”.

While calling on his Distinguished Honourable colleagues to lend their voices to the Motion, the Nkwerre lawmaker stated that security agencies should pay adequate and serious attention to the complaints of farmers.

The Motion which received popular support on the floor of the House, was seconded by the Member Representing Oguta State Constituency, Hon Engr Gilbert Chiedozie Nwosu, and was co-sponsored by the following lawmakers :

1. Rt Honourable Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu.

2. Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi.

3. Hon Innocent Ikpamezie.

4. Hon Chigozie Nwaneri.

5. Hon Dominic Ezerioha.

6. Hon James Uba Esile.

7. Hon Ozioma Worship Ebonine.

8. Hon Henry Agbasonu.

9. Hon Kelechi Ofurum.

10. Hon Clinton Amadi.

The following lawmakers supported the motion :

1. Hon Engr Gilbert Chiedozie Nwosu (Oguta).

2. Hon Engr Uche Francis Agabige (Orsu).

3. Hon Engr Bernard Ndubuisi Ozoemelam (Ehime Mbano).

4. Hon Sam Ikechukwu Osuji (Isiala Mbano).

5. Hon Sir Clinton Amadi (Owerri Municipal).

6. Hon Barrister Dominic Ugochukwu Ezerioha (Oru-West).

7. Hon Chief James Uba Esile (Onuimo).

In their respective submissions, they commended the mover of the Motion for being very sensitive to the plight of farmers, noting that invaders, scavengers, etc parading as cattle rearers have been creating havoc in other states, urging that it shouldn’t be allowed to have taproots in Imo.

Arguing that food crops should be protected, so there won’t be famine, the Honourable Members supported the call for Homeland Securities and Forest Guards to be directed to assist Security Agencies in combating insecurity and provide additional security for farmers and farmlands in the State.

This measure, they said would enable farmers to have confidence to produce farm produce for consumption, without fear and without any hindrance.

Having listened carefully to the submissions of his Honourable Colleagues, the Speaker, Rt Honourable Chike Olemgbe, who presided, put it to vote and it was unanimously adopted. Thereafter, he Ruled as follows :

1. Be It Resolved By This Honourable House To Urge His Excellency Governor Hope Uzodimma To Direct The Ministry Of Homeland Security And Other Relevant Agencies To Urgently Find Lasting Solutions To Farmers Security.

2. Be It Also Resolved To Urge Our Governor, His Excellency Governor Hope Uzodimma To Direct The Ministry Of Homeland Security To Commence Immediate Profiling And Registration Of Scavengers And Farm Produce Buyers In The State.

3. Be It Resolved To Direct Local Government Chairmen To Collaborate With Relevant Ministry And Agencies Mentioned To Find Lasting Solution.

4. Be It Further Resolved By This Honourable House To Direct The House Committee On Agriculture To Immediately Convene A Joint Meeting With The Commissioners For Agriculture, Livestock, Homeland Security And Other Relevant Agencies To Brainstorm On Intensifying Intelligence Gathering And Surveillance Activity To Identify And Apprehend The Perpetrators Of Attacks On Farmers.

The Clerk was directed to communicate the Resolution of the House to His Excellency The Governor” the release stated.

DDM News gathered that there have been several complaints and reports about the nefarious activities of the marauders parading as cattle rearers in the state.

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