From Saka Bolaji, Minna
Tension continues to rise in Azza communities in Lapai local government, Niger State following the continued clashes between herdsmen and farmers in neighbouring Benue and Nassarawa states as Niger continues to witness an influx of herdsmen to the state.
Following the influx there have been several threats by strangers who have begun to destroy the farm produce of the peasant farmers in Niger. The farmers are being threatened whenever they speak up against the destruction of their farms.
A village spokesman, Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed lamented the recent destructive activities of the herdsmen in the community, noting that these pose dangers to communities in Azza if left unchecked.
The herdsmen who are trooping into various communities, especially Muye/Egba, Gupa/Abugi and Ebbo/ Gbachenku wards of Lapai local government, are coming from Girinya in Kogi State by crossing River Gurara to Muye in Niger state.
It was reliably gathered that no fewer than 10 vehicles per day convey the herdsmen from non-peaceful environment to these Niger communities which are now not finding things easy now as the herdsmen are allegedly bringing their frustration to bear on the hitherto peaceful new host communities.
Tellingly, a middle aged man, Alhaji Bako Paisa, was last week kidnapped along Bina to Muye road in Lapai local council, a first in the history of the community. Paisa was only released after the payment of N500,000 ransom to his kidnappers.
Residents of these communities are worried and scared stiff now by the security threats experienced in recent weeks which were blamed on the influx of herdsmen.
There is fear that clashes were imminent between the indigenous farmers and the invading herdsmen as livestock feasts of farms indiscriminately. These communities in Lapai are famous for extensive dry season farming, especially of rice cultivation.
However, herdsmen are also finding it difficult to get green pasture for their cattle at this period of the year, which could explain, in part, their influx into Lapai.
The district heads of Bina, Muye, Egba in separate interviews called on the state and local governments to as a matter of urgency intervene to protect them and forestall clashes between farmers and herdsmen who only care about their animals.
When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Niger Police Command, ASP Mohammed Abubakar, told our reporter in Minna that he was unaware of the rising tension in Lapai and promised to get back immediately he gets information on the situation. However, ASP Abubakar did not get back to this reporter as at press time.
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