Herdsmen Invasion: Imo govt to resucitate services of forest guards

As part of measures aimed at cushioning the ugly effects of incessant clashes with local farmers in Imo State by fulani herdsmen, which amounts to security-lapses, the state government has announced plans to revive the Forest-Guards to work in partnership with the local hunters across the 27 LGAs in the State.

Speaking in an interview with newsmen last week, in Owerri, the Special Adviser on Security to the Imo State Governor, Mr. Raymond Nkemdirim, said that government is engaging hunters to assist security operatives through the planned establishment of Forest-Guards.

Mr. Raymond Nkemdirim

In accordance with the ‘Rebuild Imo Project’ on security, as directed by Gov. Emeka Ihedioha and the decisions of the South-East Governors’ Forum, he hinted that the Hunters’ Association in Imo State has held meetings with his office to this effect.
According to him, the State government is at its best, to ensure that the herdsmen menace does not engulf Imo State.
This, the SA on Security maintained, is being achieved by way of proactive engagement with the Miyetti-Allah,and other Northern groups in the state,adding that,once a threat is envisaged from herders,the Miyetti-Allah is quickly contacted to call them to order.
Nkemdirim, further informed that a classical case was the recent invasion of Obokofia community in Ohaji/Egbema LGA of the state by over 2000 cattle on August 3, 2019, for which a peace-meeting was organised and attended by all security chiefs in the State, the SGI, leaders of Obokofia community, and owner of the cattle, one Yahaya.
The SA noted that, the intervention saved what could have resulted in massive bloodbath.