Women of Ukpada, a community in Bekwarra Local Government Area, Cross River State, have staged protest against the threat to lives of residents by suspected Fulani herdsmen, who frequently invade their farmlands and destroy their crops.
Holding placards, the women dressed in back attire, took to the streets a few days ago to vent their grievances, calling on the state government to come to save their lives, their children, farmlands, and other properties.
Some of the placards bore the following inscriptions: 'Ukpada women will rather return to their parents instead of perishing.' 'Herdsmen are not residing in Ukpada, they only come to graze and destroy our farmlands'. 'No more cattle grazing in Ukpada or Bekwarra by the Fulani Herdsmen,' 'Ukpada people are law-abiding citizens, and will always respect the law,' among others.
They also called on the State and National Assembly members representing the area to help them as they were under siege.
A source who pleaded anonymity told NDV that the problem started when a local confronted a herder whose cattle were grazing people’s farms.
“A local in the community encountered a Fulani herder looking unperturbed as his cattle grazed wilfully on a farmer’s crops. Then, he questioned the herder, who attempted to kill the young man, but he overpowered him and in the scuffle that ensued, the Fulani man lost his life.
“The police came in and arrested many people in the community who were later set free after “heavy compensation” by the Ukpada people to the Fulani community.
“We do not know why they are coming back and threatening to kill all our people and destroy their crops. The inhabitants of this community are 95 per cent agrarian and they should not weaponize their only source of livelihood against them.”
We can’t go to the farm anymore — Akwaji, protester
One of the protesting women, Mrs. Theresa Akwaji, said: “It is from this farm that we send our children to school, and send food to them outside. Because of the present threat by Fulani herdsmen, who carry dangerous weapons, we can no longer go to the farm.”
Fulani herdsmen chasing our people —Ogbang, community leader
Addressing the protesting women adorned in black attire, a community leader, Theophilus Ogbang, called on all the sons and daughters of Bekwarra in Abuja, Lagos, Calabar, and outside the country, to hear and act on the plight of the people they left at home before they are wiped out.
“Fulani herdsmen are chasing people here in Bekwarra and the women are protesting because they can no longer go to their farms for fear of being killed.
“The lives and properties of the people are at risk, we do not want to experience what is happening in our neighbouring Benue State.
“We call on Hon. Charles Omang representing Bekwarra State Constituency; Hon. Peter Akpanke representing Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku Federal Constituency; and Sen. Jarigbe Agom, Senator representing Northern Cross River Senatorial District, to come to our aid.
C-River Assembly condemns the destruction of farms The state House of Assembly has condemned the recent destruction of farms in Ukpada village in Bekwara Local Government Area by Fulani cattle resulting in huge losses for farmers.
The lawmakers called on the state government to take steps towards the systematic evacuation of the Fulani herders as a permanent solution to the problem.
They also resolved that the state government should, as a matter of urgency, implement the Cross River State Livestock Management and Grazing Law passed by the 9th Assembly.
The lawmakers resolved following a Matter of Urgent Public Importance, sponsored by the member representing Bekwara State Constituency and Minority Whip of the House, Hon. Charles Omang Omang.
According to Omang, the women of Ukpada village in his constituency had earlier carried out a peaceful protest on the “wanton destruction of their farms with impunity and reckless abandon” by Fulani herders, who had taken possession of their farms.
The Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem recalled his efforts as a member of the 9th Assembly when herdsmen took possession of the farmlands in his constituency.
He decried the activities of herdsmen, who allow their cattle to destroy farms and crops, adding that implementing the Livestock Management and Grazing Law would facilitate peaceful coexistence and secure farmers’ investment.
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