Fulani Herdsmen Invade Igala Farmlands, Farmers Cry for Help, Urge Gov. Ododo and President Tinubu to Act – The Bureau News
By Enemona Samuel Endurance, Lokoja, Kogi State.
Farmers across Igala land in Kogi State are counting their losses after suspected Fulani herdsmen allegedly invaded and destroyed several farmlands, leaving many families devastated.
From Ofu to Dekina Local Government Areas, farmers told The Bureau News that herders not only allowed their cows to graze on cultivated crops but also cut down healthy plants to feed their animals.
Mr. Joshua, a farmer in Ofu LGA, said his entire beans farm was wiped out.
“They destroyed my beans farm completely. My beans produced well this year, but these people made their cows eat everything. They’ve ruined my only source of livelihood,” he said.
In Dekina LGA, another farmer, Mr. Ibrahim, accused some traditional rulers of aiding the crisis by allegedly collecting money from the herders.
“The main cause of this problem is our traditional rulers. They take money from these herders and permit them to graze in our villages. The herders then invite others, destroy our farms, and sometimes drive us out of our own lands,” he alleged.
Efforts by The Bureau News to reach the Attah of Igala’s Palace for comments were unsuccessful, as calls to palace officials went unanswered.
The destruction has worsened the cost of food items across Igala land, deepening hunger and frustration among residents. A widow who pleaded anonymity said she is on the verge of giving up after losing her only means of livelihood.
“I don’t know how to feed my children anymore. Everything I planted is gone,” she said in tears.
Farmers now live in fear of both hunger and debt, as many had collected agricultural loans they can no longer repay.
They are calling on Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to urgently intervene and protect farming communities from further attacks. They also appealed to President Bola Tinubu to approve the creation of state police to help curb the unending menace of herdsmen invasion.
“We are tired of crying every year,” one community leader said. “Let the government act before our people completely lose hope in farming.”