Farmers in the old Eastern Region of Nigeria, under the umbrella of Eastern Farmers Association (EFA) have lamented the federal government neglect over the loses incurred as a result of the destruction of their crops and farmland by herdsmen.
EFA in a petition to federal government, therefore, is demanding financial compensation to the tune of nine billion naira to offset the cost of damages they have incurred .
According to a petition signed by its Coordinator, Mr Paul Achalla, and the Secretary General, Mrs Nneka Orji, and made available to reporters in Awka, Anambra state, the body said since the advent of the Fulani herdsmen in the Eastern region, the federal government has been paying lip service to the monumental destruction of their crops and farm lands by the herdsmen.
The group accused the federal government of secular interest in securing the herdsmen and paying compensation for their cattles without recourse to what they did to their farmland.
They urged the Governors’ Forum in the Eastern Nigerian, as well as the Ohaneze Ndigbo, to look into their plights and make a strong statement and representation for them so that the federal government would pay them compensation of at least 9 billion naira which translates to One billion naira per state, that made up the old Eastern Region of Nigeria.
The body further contended that the manner in which the herdsmen are being protected by their governors in the South East Zone speaks volume of how they consider their security at the detriment of the farmers.
The farmers expressed concern that very soon, this year’s planting season would commence and it would be frustrating if all that they have laboured for would be in vain as a result of the activities of herdsmen in their land.
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