Governor Siminalayi Fubara has charged clerics to caution herdsmen against harassing residents, killing farmers and damaging crops in Rivers State.

He made the appeal while receiving leadership of the Muslim community, yesterday, at Government House, Port Harcourt.

In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Boniface Onyedi, the governor restated his administration’s commitment to protection of life and property.

He reminded the visitors that his government cannot be protecting their businesses, while some errant members are destroying ventures and livelihoods of others, warning that if it persists, the administration would be compelled to wield the full force of the law against perpetrators.

Fubara said: “The local government areas (LGAs) are complaining. So, I expect results in a couple of weeks by calling these people, who practise open grazing to order in Ikwerre, Etche, Ahoada East, Ahoada West and parts of Emohua LGAs. They shouldn’t be harassing the people, and should stop killing them in their farms.”

He promised to keep channel of communication with the Muslim community open, because according to him, the faithful are critical stakeholders in governance.” (The Guardian)

In his address, leader of the delegation and Vice President General of Rivers State Council of Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Nasir Awhelebe Uhor, vowed that the community would not be involved in weaponising religion to destabilise the state, even as he pledged support for the policies and programmes of the current administration. (The Guardian)

•PHOTO: Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara (right) welcoming members of Rivers State Islamic Group, led by Alhaji Aribitonye Okiri (middle) and Nasir Uhor, during their visit to the governor in Port Harcourt…yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

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