Angry Assemblyman Raises Alarm Over Fulani Herdsmen’s Destruction of Farmlands

The Assembly Member for Wuxor, Have, and Sremanu Electoral Area, Japhet Festus Gbede, has voiced deep concerns over the continuous destruction of farmlands by Fulani herdsmen, a situation that has left local farmers frustrated and in despair.

To tackle this growing menace, Mr Gbede has scheduled a stakeholders’ meeting on Friday, 21st February, to find lasting solutions to the crisis.

Over the past few months, several farmers in the electoral area have reported massive destruction of their crops, including maize, cassava,and vegetables, by cattle belonging to Fulani herdsmen.

These incidents have resulted in significant financial losses for farmers, who depend on their yields for both sustenance and economic survival.

Speaking on the matter, Mr Festus Gbede described the situation as “a serious threat to food security and peaceful coexistence in the area.”

He emphasized that if immediate measures are not put in place, farmers may be forced to abandon their fields, which would have dire consequences on food production and local livelihoods.

Local residents have not only lamented the destruction of their farmlands but also expressed fear over their safety.

Some farmers allege that they have been threatened when they attempt to protect their crops from the intruding cattle. There are growing concerns that tensions could escalate into violent clashes if authorities do not intervene.

“The herdsmen come into our communities with their cattle, and before we know it, our farms are destroyed overnight. Some of us have tried to resist, but we are often met with aggression,” said a distressed farmer in Wuxor.

Another resident of Sremanu added, “We need urgent action because we are losing everything. The police and local leaders must step in before the situation worsens.”

In response to these concerns, Japhet Festus Gbede has mentioned that, they wrote to all Fulani heardmens to vacate from the electoral Area within 72 hours which is expected to expire on Wednesday.

Gbede has also appealed to the central government to implement strict policies regulating cattle grazing in farming communities.

He urged authorities to strengthen law enforcement to prevent illegal grazing and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable.

“While we acknowledge that Fulani herdsmen have a right to their livelihood, it cannot be at the expense of our farmers. The government must step in with clear policies to manage this situation before it gets out of hand,” he stressed.