The Anambra State House of Assembly has berated the issue of cattle colonies across the country currently on the frontburner of public discourse .
The legislative arm of government said such idea should be jettisoned on account of the heinous crimes being committed by cattle herdsmen across the country .
Speaking on the issue of cattle colonies on Wednesday at the State Assembly complex Awka , majority leader of the House and Chairman Committee on Police Affairs and Security Hon.Victor Jideofor Okoye stated that the issue of cattle colonies is a no-go area in the southeast region especially Anambra state .
He said the southeast does not have enough landmass for itself let alone giving it out for cattle rearing . The security expert maintained that his contituency – Anambra-west has no land to erect residential buildings as they live in the riverine area .
The majority leader noted that acute hunger and famine loom in the country this year because farmers are no longer going to the farmlands for fear of herdsmen attack . He also pointed out that in Benue , Plateau and some other states , farmers have absconded from farmlands due to insecurity .
Okoye who explained that cattle rearing is a private business , stressed that the Northern region of the country has large landmass enough to provide cattle colonies . He was of the opinion that it was time security agencies rose up to the situation and protect farmers from the terror of killer herdsmen .
Although he observed that the killer herdsmen were not the ones rearing cattle but the ones in the mammy market , Hausa quarters stressing that such places are where the real killer herdsmen reside .
He therefore urged the federal and state governments not to abdicate their responsibilities of protecting the lives and property of the citizenry but fashion out ways to curb incessant herdsmen attacks on farmers across the country .
Contributing also on the need to disown the cattle colony issue , the member representing Ayamelum state constituency in the 6th legislature Hon.Uche Okafor said that Fulani herdsmen attacked COSCHARIS Farms in Anaku Ayamelum council area and killed one Atumanya as well as destroyed farm equipment and machineries .
According to the lawmaker , lives have been lost at Umumbo , Ifite-ogwuari in Ayamelum on account of herdsmen terrorist attacks ; noting that security operatives should be alert on the border local government areas of Ayamelum , Anambra-east , Anambra-west , Orumba-North , Orumba-South and some others to forestall herdsmen invasion .
Source : SUN