A herd of about 60 cattle was reportedly abandoned by herders on Monday morning after invading a private farm in Ohokobe Afara-Ukwu Community, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State.
Residents said the cattle strayed into the farm in the early hours and destroyed crops cultivated on a two-plot undeveloped land surrounded by a perimeter fence.
The yet-to-be-identified herders were said to have fled the area after residents, alerted to the incident, mobilised and gathered near the farm.
Some youths, carrying machetes alongside community elders, were seen discussing the incident and its security implications.
Speaking with Ashenews, the farm owner and immediate past Youth President of the community, Mr. Chinedu Nwoko, expressed shock over the development.
“At about 6:02 a.m., a neighbour alerted me that herders had led their cattle into my farm,” Nwoko said.
“I rushed to the place and saw the cattle grazing on my crops. As you can see, they destroyed everything, but the herders are nowhere to be found.”
He said crops cultivated on the farm included yam, water yam, cassava, vegetables, okra, and maize.
“When you estimate the losses, it will not be less than N5 million,” he said.
Nwoko disclosed that he had reported the matter to the World Bank Police Division and appealed to the state government to take urgent steps to address recurring incidents of open grazing in the capital city.
“This invasion is not the first, second, third, or fourth. It has become a recurring issue every farming season. They destroy our crops and walk away.
“The difference this time is that they were caught in the act,” he said.
Reacting to the incident, the current Youth President of the community, Mr. Ifeanyi Nwosu, described the development as disturbing.
“Though this has happened before, this one is of greater magnitude,” he said.
Nwosu lamented that herders continued to invade farms despite the state’s Anti-Open Grazing Law and urged the government and security agencies to enforce the legislation.
“This is an urban community, so it is worrying that such incidents are still happening here,” he said.
He added that the Ibeku Egwuasa socio-cultural organisation had condemned the incident and initiated discussions with the leadership of Miyetti Allah in the state to de-escalate tensions.
According to him, cattle owners also condemned the incident, noting that they had designated grazing areas and did not approve grazing in the community.
A community leader, Mr. Jerry Mbonu, described the incident as alarming.
“It is unacceptable that cattle could invade and destroy crops in a fully residential community, especially a farm close to harvest,” Mbonu said.
Residents said the incident posed a threat to lives and property and highlighted the need for stronger security measures.
Mbonu disclosed that plans to establish a community vigilance group, with police approval, had reached an advanced stage.
