The Nigeria Police, Imo State Command, has held a crucial security meeting with stakeholders from three local government areas of the State, with the aim of putting to an end the incessant farmers-herdsmen clashes and other violent crime within the areas.
The meeting was mainly focused on addressing security concerns in Ohaji/Egbema, Owerri West and Oguta Local Government Areas, with particular focus on farmer-herder disputes, kidnapping for ransom and other emerging threats.
Speaking on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, the Officer in charge of Ohaji-Egbema Area Command, ACP Emeka Ezeibe reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing, Community partnership and proactive crime prevention.
He emphasized that criminality has no ethnic or religious identity and urged residents to support security agencies by providing timely and credible information capable of exposing criminal elements.
Some of the stakeholders that spoke during the meeting, called the attention of the security agencies to the wanton destruction of cultivated farmlands by herdsmen, who according to them, intentionally invade farm lands destroying crops with aggressive approach.
They also pointed out incidents of kidnapping for ransom, threats against farmers and its resultant effects on livelihoods and food security.
Participants, however, acknowledged improvement in security across the State as they agreed on the need for sustained collective efforts to prevent emerging threats.
They commended the State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, for strengthening peace and security through the establishment of community-based local vigilante structures.
Parts of the resolutions reached during the meeting included: herders to avoid encroaching cultivated farmlands, to ensure registration of herders operating within affected Communities, and stronger collaboration with security agencies to curb kidnapping for ransom, farmer-herder conflicts and other criminal activities.
The State Police Command on behalf of other security agencies assured stakeholders of continued commitment to addressing security challenges across the State through proactive policing and strategic partnerships.
A committee comprising representatives of various communities in the three LGAs was constituted to promptly address security concerns relating to herders, kidnapping for ransom, and promote peaceful coexistence.
Attending the meeting, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Hope Uzodinma on Northern Affairs, Suleiman Ibrahim, reaffirmed the commitment of the Hausa/Fulani community to peaceful coexistence, stating that law-abiding herders would neither condone nor shield criminal elements.
