The people of Ibiaku Ishiet and Ituk Mbang communities, all in Southern Uruan, Cross River State, have lamented over the hazard caused by cattles invasion of their farmlands.
Head of Ibiaku Ishiet, Eteidung William Effiong Etim, who disclosed this while interacting with newsmen in his palace, said he was not aware of any permission given to the cattle rearers.
“I have never negotiated with any herdsman or their leaders to stay in my community, neither has any of them paid homage to me as the leader of this community, despite all the complaints made by women, especially those who are farmers in this community,” he said.
He stated that their farmlands have been taken over by herds of cattles that has resulted in massive destruction of crops and plants.
While bemoaning the situation, the village Head said, “I have been having series of complaints from my subjects which include widows, the youths and many others who are so affected”.
The Youth Leader of Ibiaku Ishiet, Comrade Nduke Etim, also supported the statement by the village Head, saying “we are surprised that despite government’s prohibition of stray cattles and warnings by the community leaders, the herdsman are still at will to damage our farmlands”.
Also speaking, the Village Head of Ituk Mbang Community, Eteidung Emmanuel Edet Bassey, decried the activities of herdsmen and their cattles, who invade their farmlands without any remorse for disobeying the law of the land.
“I hereby appeal through this medium that government who own security apparatus in the state should act fast and stem the tide before it goes out of hand”, he warned.
Eteidung Bassey, speaking on behalf of his 28 councillors representing various families, insisted that none of the herdsmen had ever visited him in his palace or paid homage to him as the village head of Ituk Mbang Community.

By: Christopher Tom, Uyo