By Nwogha Ndubuisi, Abakaliki
Sequel to the incessant attack and killings of innocent indigenes of Ehugbo in Afikpo North Council Area, Ebonyi State by herdsmen, the people have banned the consumption of beef in the area.
The resolution was made known to newsmen in Afikpo North Local government Area following a decision that was said to be taken by a cross section of the Ehugbo of Onikaras, the Ekpuke Essas, the Ekpuke Etos and Isielias in conjunction with the Afikpo Town welfare Association,ATWA.
According to the custom of the Ehugbo people, the traditional executive arms of the Elders council, the Ekpuke Etos have officially publicly disseminated the information through the system called Ipa–Ire–Nkwu round the Afikpo North main market called the Eke ukwu market square on Tuesday 26th of October 2020.
Meanwhile, the action was in reaction to the numerous violent acts of recent killing of couple, including raping of their female children, and assault of all kinds by suspected Fulani herders who forcefully invaded their Community farmland, and warned to attack with gun if met their cow in the farm eating their crop again.
The Vice President of Afikpo Town Welfare Association ,Dr. John Ibe who represented the general President of the association, Dr. Abani told the public that the purpose of the five autonoous communities meeting at Ogo- Okpota the Ehugbo ancestral ground was as a regard to tackling the incessant menace of the Fulani herdsmen in their area.
Dr.John also made references to the resent incidence of a young graduate who was hacked to death together with his pregnant wife by suspected herdsmen at his farm Located at Uzo-Amata of Ozizza community in Afikpo.
The Okabua who is the Speaker of the traditional Ehugbo Council of Elders, Chief Christopher Abagha who on the mandate from the body of Onikaras through Onikara Emmanuel Aluu EGWU pronounced the unanimous resolution of the people which stated thus:
“(1) That effect from 26th of October 2020, The people of Afikpo will stop to patronize Cattle meat Sellers nor engage in consumption of cow meat”.
“(2).That the butchers in their market be discouraged from sells of cattle meat Like wise the people of Afikpo would no longer buy nor use cattle meat for any public Ceremonies.
“(3).That the Traditional Council shall within the shortest time carry out searching to determine and fish out the murder of the young couple as well as, other such killings in their Area.
“The order was with no fine yet, but somehow appropriately sanctioned.
Speaking a member of Onikara Council, Chairman of Ebonyi State Universal Basic Education Board and Stakeholder,High Chief Hyacinth Ekuma Ikpor called Ulo–ubi Essa not to take any decision of confrontation in form of Physical attack but to exercise patience to know the outcome of a proposed meeting with the State government with the herders in which resolution adopted in an MOU will be adequately stepped down at the community level.
In the same vein, when our reporter visited the council Chairman,Barr.Oby Oko Enyim she noted that she was not pleased with the incident as such, was not disposed to say any thing.
However, it was gathered that the council Chairman had earlier met with all the Stakeholders including the Ehugbo Elders council in her office at the Local Government headquarters where she briefed them on state government determination to provide exclusive ranches in each Local Government Area as a solution to bring end to farmers and herders clash in the state.
