Breaking News reaching Bryt FM indicates raging exchanges of gun fire between farmers and nomadic Fulani herdsmen in Abuakwa North Municipality in Eastern region.
The Abuakwa North Municipal Security Council (MUSEC) led by the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the area Hon. Alhaji Umar Bodinga embarked on “Operation flush out fulani herdsmen” Monday ,a week after MUSEC issued four -day ultimatum to all nomadic herdsmen who invaded the municipality to voluntarily evacuate.
This saw the nomadic Fulani herdsmen escape with the cattle however they have reportedly returned Thursday night compelling the local farmers to mobilize arms to attack them leading to exchange of gun fire Friday morning
One of the farmers Mohammed Tanko, told Bryt News whilst gasping for breathe that, “the cattle returned so the local farmers have mobilised and facing them. Now there are gunshots we have called the MCE and the police .I will call you later the gunshot are ongoing”.
Even though the invasion of the herdsmen and their cattle in Abuakwa North Municipality is seasonal ,the number doubled this time around due to the ongoing clashes between farmers and herdsmen in Afram plains.
It was estimated that more than 10,000 cattle invaded the municipality two weeks ago jolting and grazing crops in farming communities such as Sokode Juaso, kyekyewere,and Mpaemu No 1&2 in Abuakwa North Municipality destroying crops of farmers affecting their source of livelihood.
A joint police taskforce led by the Abuakwa North Municipal Police Commander ,the MCE and some affected farmers visited all the hotspots believed to have been the hideout of the fulani nomadic herdsmen for day one of the ‘operation flush out fulani nomadic herdsmen’ in the municipality none of the herdsmen and their cattle were however identified on the farmlands of the concern farmers as they escaped before arrival of the team.
Speaking to the media after the exercise, the Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Alhaji Umar Bodinga reaffirmed his decision to protect the interest of the farmers therefore he is not relenting anytime soon until the activities of the nomadic herdsmen are completed bring to an end.
The MCE contends that about 75% of the people are farmers of which majority of them are youth , therefore he promised to support and protect their livelihoods with authority vested in him as the representative of government.
Alhaji Umar Bodinga further assured the farmers that the operation will continue for four consecutive days after which the assembly together with the Municipal Security Council (MUSEC) will review the operation strategy which wi involve the use of drone technology to track all corners where the nomadic herdsmen may be hiding for the needed traces to be done swiftly.
He cautioned individuals who maybe passing out informations to the herdsmen anytime MUSEC want to embark on operations to desist from such acts since they may equally face some form of punishment.
Meanwhile, a local cattle rearer in the municipality, Mohammed Tanko said despite acquiring permission legally to own some concessions of land to rear his cattle, the activities of the fulani nomadic herdsmen has labeled all cattle owners as bad therefore any operation being mounted is to their disadvantage.
That notwithstanding, Mohammed Tanko appealed to the government to properly regulate laws to protect cattle owners whilst the law also ensures the adoption of proper cattle rearing methods which will not lead to the destruction of farmlands.
Source:Mybryfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
