A prominent traditional ruler in Abia State has warned that the national grazing bill has the potential to tear the country apart if passed into law.

His Royal Highness, Eze Cletus Uwadiegwu Ogbonnaya, the traditional ruler of Umuanyi Autonomous Community in Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State, noted that if the bill is passed into law, it would bedevil Nigeria for 200 years.

Said the royal father in an interview in Umuahia: “The so-called national grazing bill should never happen in this country. It should never be allowed.

“In fact, southern legislators should never vote for that bill. Whoever votes for it should be recalled by his constituents. It is not in the interest of the nation.

“It is another time bomb that could explode any moment. It is good that the senate denied that they don’t have the bill. But surprisingly, media reports say the House of Representatives have the bill. So, which one is the truth?

“That bill should not see the light of the day, otherwise they are creating a problem that even in 200 years time, would continue to bedevil Nigeria.”

Eze Ogbonnaya lamented the bitter experience people of his community are having in the hands of Fulani herdsmen.

His words: “They (herdsmen) are now right behind our farms. My people can no longer go to the farm. No woman goes to the farm alone, otherwise she will be raped. No man goes to the farm again.

“And when they damage your crops, they disappear. The people you see today will not be the people you will see tomorrow. They will move.

“Even when they promise that they will pay you for your damaged crops, by the time you come there tomorrow, you will never see any person there again and in the event you meet some herdsmen, they will not be the group that damaged your crops. So, I am appealing to the Federal Government to do something.”

Also, a lawmaker in Abia State has warned herdsmen grazing in Ohafia to desist from damaging farm crops and polluting streams in the area.

Hon. Francis Uchendu representing Ohafia South State constituency and House Committee chairman on Land and Survey, said Fulani herdsmen should not allow their grazing cattle to stray into yam barns or to pollute streams in the constituency.

Uchendu confirmed that over the years, the people have been complaining about the havoc being wreaked by cattle on their farms and streams under the watch of the Fulani herdsmen.

“The most annoying aspect of this development is that the Fulani herdsmen do this with every amount of impunity and threat to kill any persons who dares to challenge them,” he said.

•Photo shows Fulani herdsmen with their cattle.

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