How I Was Able To Forestall Herdsmen’s Attacks In Anambra – Governor Obiano

SAN FRANCISCO, August 27, (THEWILL) – The Governor of Anambra state, Chief Willie Obiano, on Saturday gave insight into how he was able to prevent cases of herdsmen’s attack on villagers from happening in the state.

Speaking at the Council Chambers of Government House, Awka, in a press conference to mark the 25th anniversary of the creation of the state, Obiano described himself as “the guy who saw tomorrow”.

He explained, “Early in my administration, I constituted a committee known as cattle menace committee, which is headed by the commissioner of police, with five traditional rulers and leaders of the Fulani community in the state.

“We agreed in the committee that if the cattle belonging to the Fulani people destroy our crops, they will pay us; and if our people kill their cattle, we will pay them.”

The governor disclosed that the Fulani herdsmen had defaulted 11 times, and paid compensation to the natives, while the communities had defaulted five times, and paid accordingly for five cows allegedly killed by them.

He said it was agreed that herdsmen would not be allowed to come into the state wielding AK47 riffles and other dangerous weapons.

Obiano asserted that the arrangement had guided the parties in their actions and conducts.

He further stated that Anambra state does not intend to embark on land-consuming projects as the creation of grazing reserves and ranches because it has the smallest land mass in the country.

The governor regretted that even the small land mass Anambra State has had been eaten up by erosion.