From Chuks Onuoha, Umuahia
THE people of Ezenta and Ezeukwu communities in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State said Fulani herdsmen have occupied their farmlands and built tents.
Chairman of one of the communities, Mr. Harrison Eleke, who spoke with Daily Sun expressed worry over the activities of the herdsmen who have occupied their lands like people that have been authorised to use the farmlands by government.
He said fear of the unknown had enveloped his people following stories of violent activities of these group of people, and their records of rapping and maiming women and any one who tries to resist them from grazing in their farm lands.
“We are now like a people living with the mind set that any thing bad can happen at any time, and that is why we are calling on both the state and Federal Government to come to our rescue over the occupation of our farmlands by the herdsmen whom we woke up to see in their tents, daily grazing their cattle with impunity.”
He said the community woke up to see the herdsmen every where and have been managing the situation so that it does not degenerate into something else.
According to him, the youths of the community are already agitated over the development but are being held back by the leadership of the community.
“These people came into the community since early June and have built their tents where they are living and grazing their cows. We don’t even know how many they are, but those who have sighted them put their figure in hundreds.
“ Our people are afraid of going to farms in that area for fear of molestation by these people.”