Stay within your limit, Fubara tells herders
By Gladys Otamuno
Muslim clerics in Rivers State have been asked to urge herdsmen against attacking rural people in villages and damaging crops in their farms.
Addressing leaders of the Muslim Community who called on him at Government House as part of the celebration of the Islamic festival, Eid al-Adha, Governor Sim Fubara said it is the responsibility of State to protect lives and property.
But he warned that the State may be unable to defend Muslims and their businesses if herdsmen continue to develop the penchant for grazing cattle on the farms of Rivers people.
“The local government areas are complaining, so I expect results in a couple of weeks by calling these people who practice open grazing to order in Ikwerre, Etche, Ahoada East, Ahoada West and parts of Emohua Local Government Areas.
“They shouldn’t be harassing the people and should stop killing them on their farms”, Governor Fubara insisted.
As Chief security, the Rivers Governor said it is his responsibility to protect their businesses, but noted that this would be impossible if some of the “errant members of their fold are destroying the businesses and livelihoods of others.”
Fubara assured that the Rivers State Government would keep channels of communication between it and the Muslim community open.
He described them as critical stakeholders in governance who should enjoy the benefit of the prevailing peace in the State to do their business and worship without molestation.
The Vice President General of the Rivers State Council of Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Nasir Awhelebe Uhor who led the delegation assured that the Muslim community would not join forces with those who wish to destabilize the State through religion.
Uhor pledged that Moslems in the State will support the policies and programmes of the Fubara administration.