Ebonyi state government yesterday banned the movement of cattle into the state by herdsmen, saying that there is tension in the state over activities of the herdsmen in the country. Governor David Umahi disclosed this during a security meeting with security chiefs in the state at the state Police Command, noting that the state will enact laws that will restrict movement of cattles and other animals such as goat and chicken.
Leaders of Hausa community in the southeast region were also in attendance during the meeting. Umahi added that the old timers who have resided in the state for years and were rearing cattle should do that within a place because movement of cattles from place to place would stop immediately.
He stated it has been observed that the herdsmen who moved their cattles from place to place were the ones posing security threat and not the innocent Hausa/Fulani brothers who have settled in the state for years.
He stated as the chief security officer of the state, he was concerned about the life of every Nigerian living within and outside the state and had the duty to always strive to protect it including lives of those who are not Nigerians. He stated there was need to nip the situation in the bud to prevent an escalation. “Every state must put in place what will guarantee peace for both indigenes and non indigenes.
“So that is a directive this afternoon and I want security agencies to take note because there is high tension now in Ebonyi state”, Gov Umahi stated.
Guardian