Group tasks FG on herdsmen crisis; Commends Gov. Emmanuel’s prompt response to curb crisis

Dennis Udoma

President of Uyio Ikpa-Ikono Welfare Union, a socio-cultural group in Akwa Ibom, Dr Anietie Essien has called on the Federal Government to wade into the herdsmen crisis in the country by evolving appropriate measures to end the incessant killings.

Dr Essien was speaking to journalists in Uyo, on Tuesday while reacting to the recent killing of a farmer and maiming of others at a community in Akwa Ibom.

He condemned a situation where herdsmen are allowed to move about with arms in the guise of rearing animals, and at the same time posing a dangerous threat to the unarmed population in their midst.

Meanwhile, the group on Monday condoled with the people of Ikot Obio Nso Community in Ikpa-Ikono Clan and the entire Udo Etor family, over the untimely demise of their illustrious son, late Mr Friday Udo Etor.

The deceased, was killed in his farm during herdsmen attack of the community in Mkpat Enin last Wednesday.

Our Correspondent recalls that, problem started when the deceased went to his farm and surprisingly met herdsmen with cattle feeding on his crops, but when he accosted the herders in a bid to stop the cattle from destroying his crops, they resisted him and in the ensuing disagreement shot him to death and fled the community.

Chairman of the Village Council, Chief Cletus Okodi, while narrating the tragedy said, the incident attracted members of the community who were equally attacked by the herdsmen, thereby making many people to sustain injuries from gun shots.

Dr Essien, during condolence visit to the bereaved family expressed sadness over the crisis describing the death of the deceased as a great loss to Ikpa-Ikono Community.

He said, though Etor was killed in active service as a farmer, his death came at a time the nation was evolving its agricultural agenda as the bastion to improve the economy.

While praying God to grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss, he noted that, late Etor would be remembered for his numerous contributions to the growth of his community and as a firm believer in agricultural entrepreneurship.

The President commend Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel for responding to the cries of the community in time of need.

He expressed the group’s unalloyed support to state government’s development programmes and, for appointing their son, Mr Ekong Sampson as a Commissioner for Environment and Petroleum Resources.

He also thanked Hon. Victor Ekwere representing Mkpat Enin State Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Chairman of Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, Hon Ekanem Brown, security agencies and the youth for their intervention and peaceful disposition to the crisis.

The group also visited the hospital at Ekparakwa to pray for the wounded.