31st October, 2015
The Special Adviser to Imo Governor on Livestock and Hausa Community Affairs, Mr Hassan Adamu, has advised herdsmen in Imo to shun acts capable of igniting crisis.
Adamu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Owerri on Saturday that situations where herdsmen rape women, attack and destroy farms in the course of their operation were unacceptable.
“Before now, there have been some reports of herdsmen using their cattle to destroy crops in farms, rape women and even attack the natives who came to rescue their victims.
“This kind of misconduct is against the promotion of unity encapsulated in one Nigeria philosophy and must be stopped by those who perpetuate these crimes,’’ he said.
NAN learnt that there has been an upsurge in the cases of herdsmen raping women and attacking natives in Owerri West and Ngor Okpala Areas of the state.
Adamu said he had been part of the team that brokered peace in most of the cases, and urged them to be law abiding and reciprocate the hospitable gesture of Imo people.
The aide also warned northern youths against indulging in criminality, noting that his office had received reports of youths arrested for house breaking and stealing of public property.
“Recently, a northern youth was electrocuted in Imo because he went to steal a transformer and security men travelling with the state deputy governor arrested some vandalising somebody’s vehicle along Port Harcourt Road.
“The Commissioner of Police equally informed me sometime that some northern youths were in police custody because of one crime or the other.
“I feel the youths must refrain from such negative conduct in the interest of peace,’’ he said.
Adamu, who expressed confidence that the involvement of some youths in misconduct would soon been history, said he had met with the leadership of various Hausa quarters on the problem.
He, however, commended Gov. Rochas Okorocha and Imo people for their hospitality to northerners, and prayed God Almighty to continue to engender peace among Nigerians irrespective of where they live.