The people of Ikwerre ethnic nationality has expressed worries over the presence of cattle rearers in their domain, which according to them have destroyed lives and their crops.
Speaking during Ogbakor Ikwerre cultural organization world wide convention Rivers State, Chief Solomon Ordu a retired permanent secretary in Rivers State lamented over the destruction of his farm at Elele Ogbudioga road by the cattle owned by the Hausa Fulani cattle rearers.
The retired former perm sec explained that the cattle which first destroyed his fence passed through and destroyed crops owned by widows and other sons and daughters of Ikwerre who cultivate farm for their livelihood and sustenance, describing the incidents as a threat to their lives.
Chief Ordu recalled that after his retirement as the permanent secretary in the ministry he relied on farm business which has been sustaining him for years, but regretted that the presence of the cattle rearers in the area has shattered his dreams, disclosing that he was nearly killed by the cattle one day if not for the intervention of two of his brothers who rescued him.
Chief Ordu recalled that the cattle have killed a number of persons at Etche and other parts of Ikwerre in different occasions and appealed to Ogbakor Ikwerre to intervene.
Chief Mike Elechi, a former permanent secretary in the rivers State ministry of Information and Works who confirmed the incidents noted that keeping silent on the matter will amount to more destruction of farm crops and lives in the area and suggested that Ogbakor Ikwerre should pay a courtesy visit and explain the incident to them.
In his response, chief Sampson Agbaru, the president General of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organization worldwide who condemned the destruction of lives and crops by the cattle described it as a serious matter, assuring that the organization would take the matter to the security agencies to resolve the issue.
The former secretary of the Rivers State government, SSG, urged Chief Solomon Ordu to present the matter officially to the exco of the organization for them to take it to the relevant authorities.
Chief Agbaru who commended governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi for attending the convention held at Ovugo Emohua LGA held last year, lauded him for his developmental studies in the area of health, education, infrastructural development across the 23 LGAs of Rivers State and urged Ikwerres to support him to enable him succeed.
He expressed shock over the demise of sons of the Ikwerre who passed away couple of weeks ago, such as chief Eric Assor, His Royal Majesty, Eze Sunday Woluchem and Eze C. C. Nwuche from Ekpeye land and condoled the families of the deceased.
Chief Agbaru also expressed sympathy over the victims of Igwuruta tanker fire incident.
In a chat with the journalists shortly after the convention elder John Chidi Amadi the chairman of Isimba branch of Ogbakor Ikwerre cultural organization World wide who expressed dismay over the destruction of crops by the cattle, said his branch has conveyed the matter to governor Amaechi who later directed the matter to the SSG to look into the issue.
According to him, the SSG, Mr. George Feyii has met with the branch and assured them that the matter will be resolved. ###
Emeka Jilly Ejiowhor
