INSECURITY: Abia Govt Seeks Army Support To Stop Farmers, Herders Clash

Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has expressed government’s preparedness to partner the Nigeria Army in enhancing the security network of the State.

Dr Ikpeazu who stated this while receiving the General Officer Commanding 82 Division of the Nigeria Army, Enugu, Major General Lasisi Adegboye and his delegation at Government House, Umuahia, commended the military for not only assisting government in protecting lives and property in the State but also working in synergy with other security agencies to maintain peace.

The Governor represented by his Deputy, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, called on officers of the Nigeria Army to assist in reducing clashes between farmers and herders in the State to the barest minimum while government continues to engage traditional rulers, presidents general of various town unions and other stakeholders in the State on the need to maintain peace and not take the law into their hands even when the herders continue to wreak havoc on farmlands.

He used the visit to reaffirm government’s commitment to completing the projects situated at the 144 Battallion Barracks at Asa in collaboration with the Nigeria Army and implored them to also assist government in enforcing the wearing of face masks by citizens and adhering to all the required precautionary measures and protocols by NCDC and Government in the fight against the spread of Covid-19 pandemic.

Earlier in his remarks, the General Officer Commanding 82 Division of the Nigeria Army, Enugu, Major General, Lasisi Adegboye, stressed the need for government, the army and traditional rulers at the community levels to embark on more proactive approach to check the rising incident of land disputes and clashes between farmers and herders which had led to unnecessary deaths and destruction of properties.

Major General Adegboye appealed to the state government to assist the military complete the projects initiated at the 144 Battalion Barracks, Asa, as well as provide them with vehicles to ease their logistics challenges and promised to always collaborate with the state government in providing security.

Highlight of the visit was the presentation of souvenirs to the Governor and his representative witnessed by Barr Chris Ezem (Secretary to the State Government), members of the State Executive Council, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor and other top government officials and security personnel.