Herdsmen invasion sparks fear in C’River communities
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Tension is mounting in many communities within the Onim Ankiong Clan, Odukpani Local Government, Cross River State, over repeated invasion and destruction of crops by cattle belonging to Fulani herders.
Residents of villages in the clan said the situation, which intensified in 2023 has over the years led to frequent disputes between farmers and herders, raising fears of a possible breakdown of law and order.
The communities include: Ekemkpon village, Atan Akani Obio Okoyong village, Esuk Okoyong village, Ikot Essien village, Ikot Nyong village, Atan Okoyong village and other settlements along the coastal highway axis of the LG.
Village head of Atan Akani Obio Village,who doubles as clan secretary of Onimankiong clan, HH Deno Enuo Ekpenyong-Inang Itam Ating, said the recent crisis began after herders resumed grazing activities in the area despite earlier resistance from the community.
Ating explained that the community decided to bar open grazing because the cattle, not only fed on grasses, but also uprooted cassava and other crops cultivated by farmers.
“Our farmers cultivate cassava, pumpkin, cucumber and other crops worth millions of naira. When the cattle enter these farms, they destroy everything. When farmers see their crops destroyed, they sometimes retaliate by killing the cows,” he added.
He alleged that such retaliatory actions led to the murder of a farmer, Udo Isong Akpan in 2024 and the case was handled by the Cross River State Police, Diamond Hill, Calabar.
Despite earlier efforts by security authorities to move the herders out of the area, residents claimed the cattle later returned and continued grazing in farmlands.
They also said the seasonal migration pattern of the herders contributes to the recurring disputes, noting that cattle often move into irrigated farms during the dry season when natural grazing areas are limited.
Usman Abubakar Mai, the State Secretary of the Herders Association, said the association has ordered the herders to immediately leave the area.
He said the association is actively managing the evacuation process to prevent further damage and that the evacuation is being handled in phases due to the sheer volume of the livestock involved.
Cross River State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday confirmed the development,saying that the Commissioner of Police Rashid Afegbua has directed that a team led by the DPO Odukpani and DSP Danjuma Salisu (RRS) to visit Atan Mbakara Okoyong Village.
“Herdsmen were not found at the scene, but were later sighted near the power plant. They fled with their cattle despite attempts to engage them.
“Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend the owners of the cows and further updates will follow”, he said.
