Residents of Ike-Onicha, Onicha-Ukwuani and Ogbagu-Ogume communities in Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State have appealed to the Delta State Government to intervene over the alleged invasion of their farmlands and destruction of crops by herdsmen and their cattle.
The appeal was made by a retired Permanent Secretary in the Delta State Civil Service and Onochueze of Ike-Onicha, Onicha-Ukwuani, Ogbuiji Augustine Chukwuma, while addressing journalists in Ike-Onicha.
Chukwuma commended the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, and the Chairman of Ndokwa West Local Government Area, Chief Obi Nzete, for their efforts in ensuring that the cattle herders initially vacated the affected communities.
According to him, the herdsmen and their cattle had left the communities about three weeks ago, but residents were surprised to discover that they had returned on August 5 and once again occupied farmlands in the area.
He noted that the affected communities are peace-loving and law-abiding, emphasizing that residents have refrained from taking the law into their own hands despite the challenges they face.
Chukwuma lamented that many farmers have been denied access to their farmlands, while crops are being destroyed by cattle grazing indiscriminately within the communities.
He further disclosed that cattle are currently ravaging crops around the boundary between Ike-Onicha and Ogbagu-Ogume communities, a situation he described as a major threat to the livelihoods of local farmers and food production in the area.
The community leader therefore appealed to the Delta State Government and relevant security agencies to urgently intervene and ensure that the herdsmen and their cattle vacate the affected communities to enable residents return to their farms and carry out their legitimate economic activities without fear or hindrance.
