Worried by the activi
ties of Fulani Herdsmen in Rivers State, the Onwanagbara Oha I of Omuma in Omuma Local Government Area, Eze Sylvanus Ogbueri, has advocated for proper legislation over the disturbing activities of itinerant Herdsmen in the state.
Eze Ogbueri, who spoke to The Tide in his palace, Saturday, stated that until the state promulgates laws that would check the illegal and criminal activities of these Herdsmen, the much talked about agricultural development can not be actualize in the diversification policy of the country.
He lamented that farmers in Omuma, especially the women were scared of carrying out their farming activities in the area owing to constant threats by the herdsmen.
According to him, the herdsmen were destroying farm crops and the livelihood of the farmers, which stressed had scared them, saying, “they are afraid of being killed or raped by the uncontrollable herdsmen”.
He called on the state governor, Chief Nyesom Wike to collaborate with members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to initiate laws banning or checking the activities of herdsmen, as is being done in Ekiti State.
Ogbueri, who noted that the local government area was the food basket of the state, maintained that until the illegal activities of herdsmen in the state, were brought under check through appropriate legislation, the much expected bounty harvest would be unrealisable.
He said, “jut as is being done in Ekiti State, by Governor, Ayo Fayose, and the Ekiti State Assembly, let the Rivers House of Assembly promulgate a law that would check these herdsmen whose stock-in-trade include raping, killing and sacking communities merely for the interest of their cows”.
The monarch bemoaned the present economic recession in the country, stating that Nigeria was too rich to suffer recession in view of the much potentials in the country.
He used the opportunity to commend Governor Nyesom Wike on his long list of achievements in terms of road constructions, peace and provision of basic amenities in the face of the harsh economic situation and promised to sustain Omuma’s stunch support for the governor.

Tonye Nria-Dappa