Abia House launches investigation into alleged Fulani Republic in Ohafia

THE Abia State House of Assembly has ordered an investigation into the reported putting up of a sign post with the inscription “Fulani Republic” near the 14 Brigade Army Barracks, Ohafia Council Area of the State.

The House also recalled its former Minority Leader, Sir Abraham Oba, who was suspended about three months ago following the position of his party on the N30 billion bonds the government wanted to secure.

The investigation by the House followed a petition brought by the member representing Ohafia South constituency, Chief Uchendu Ifeanyi, which drew the attention of the House to the alleged “Fulani Republic” sign post  mounted by Fulani herdsmen.

According to Uchendu, the said sign post “posed threat to peace in his constituency” because it created the impression that the herdsmen had taken over that portion of land where they grazed their cattle.

The committee which has Chikwendu Kanu representing Isiala Ngwa South Constituency, as Chairman, was charged with the responsibility to establish if the said “Fulani Republic” land was part of the Army land and how the Fulani came into its alleged occupation. The committee is to submit its report  next Wednesday.

Activities of Fulani cattle herdsmen in some Abia communities have become a source of great worry to the people because the cattle cause huge damage to crops and farmlands in these rural communities where the breeders illegally and brazenly colonize as grazing grounds and dared the land owners for a showdown when challenged.

Besides the damage on crops and other farm produce, the aggressive nature of the Fulani cattle guards is more of concern to any community they invade. They are always armed to the teeth with dangerous weapons, including AK47, charms and deadly daggers and machetes and are ready to attack the farm owners at the least provocation.

There have been reports of clashes between the herdsmen and farmers in some Abia communities of Uzoakoli in Bende Local Government Area, Ebem and Akanu in Ohafia and Umuchieze in Umunneochi of deadly clashes between rural farmers and the cattle breeders.

In Ozuakoli for instance, a man popularly known in the areas as Ajambele sometime in the past received a deadly attack when he confronted Fulani cattle herdsmen who invaded his farmland with their cattle and he met the cattle destroying his farm in the Over Rail area of the community.