Obiano orders herdsmen to vacate tertiary institutions premises

Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano has ordered herdsmen operating in higher institutions’ premises across the state to immediately vacate or be arrested.

The order was given yesterday by the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Governor Willie Obiano on Security, Hon. Ostar Christopher during Anambra State Cattle Menace Control Committee meeting held in Awka, Anambra state capital.

The meeting was held at the conference hall of the government house, led by the committee Chairman, and attended by the state Commissioner of Police, John Abang, represented by DCP Maiyaki Baba; the Chairman of Cattle Breeders Association in the Southeast zone, Alhaji Gidado Sidikki, and traditional rulers in the state.

The SSA expressed regret that despite previous warnings to the herders to guard their cows, they had continued to constitute a menace to the crops, farms and tertiary institutions' environment in the state.

He said the action of the herders in the state necessitated the marching orders from the state government to the Anambra Cattle Menace Control Committee, led by the State Police Commissioner, John Abang.

Monarchs in the committee include Igwe PN Ezeamama of Enugwu Umuonyia; Igwe Pius Omachuonu of Olumbanasaa; Igwe Chika S. Uchime of Ufuma; Igwe B Okeji of Omasi; and Igwe A.I Ofoebe of Ifite Ogwari.

In their separate presentations, the monarchs expressed worries over the destruction of lives and property in their communities, hence their demands of for the Committee to expedite action to stop further destruction especially this farming season.

Alhaji Gidado Sidikki, representing the herders appealed to the Committee to consider herdsmen who were law abiding to be operating in the state.

He assured that he would communicate the order to those still within university premises to vacate immediately.

Another member of the Committee, CP Ikechukwu Aduba (rtd), called on the Committee to live up to expectation, saying Governor Willie Obiano was worried over the excesses of herdsmen.