From INIOBONG SUNDAY, Uyo
Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare has expressed concern over intermittent frictions between herdsmen and farmers over plodding of farms by cattles, and stressed the need for the best way out for peace in the state.
The Governor also frowned at vandalism and stealing of government and public assets and utilities by scrap metal dealers, warning that the police operatives under his watch had zero tolerance for crimes and would not hesitate to arrest and follow through the prosecution of the culprits.
Azare handed this warning during separate meetings with representatives of cattle dealers and farmers’ association on one hand and the metal scrap dealers, to address the escalating tensions between the groups in the state.
At the fora held at the police command headquarters at Ikot Akpanabia, near Uyo, the CP emphasised the critical importance of fostering peaceful relations between farmers and herdsmen in the state, and urged both parties to “work towards resolving your differences for the collective well-being of the state”.
He expressed grave concern over the conflicts that have led to unnecessary violence, warning that such actions would not be tolerated, as he assured them that the police would take decisive action against anyone involved in fomenting trouble.
“We urge farmers to report any incidents where cows enter their farms for grazing to the Police promptly, rather than taking the law into their own hands”, he warned, and urged the representatives to take the message of peace back to their respective communities.
“We cannot afford to let lives be lost over matters that can be settled peacefully. The police will not tolerate any form of destruction of property, and anyone caught damaging others’ property will face the full force of the law”, he stressed.
Responding, the chairman of Cattle Dealers Association, CDA, Alhaji Mohammed Mijinyawa thanked the CP for his leadership and the opportunity to engage in a dialogue, and promised that his association would cooperate fully with the Police and the government in the task of fostering and maintaining peace in the state.
He, therefore, assured the farmers that cattle dealers are committed to peaceful coexistence and vowed to caution his members to avoid any actions that could escalate tension in the host state.
