BY: Benjamin Owusu I Voltaonlinegh.com |
The Traditional Authorities and residents of Nkonya- Bumbula in the Biakoye district of the Oti Region, have given herdsmen in the area 14 days to re-locate with their animals or face forceful eviction.
According to them, they had run out of patience following the lawlessness of the herdsmen, who are said to have imposed a virtual reign of terror and wrecking of farms and water bodies after several attempt to evacuate them from the area.
The two weeks decision was agreed on between the community leaders and the District Security Council (DISEC) led by Comfort Akuea Atta, District Chief Executive Officer, over the recent incidences of lawlessness exhibited by these herdsmen.
Speaking with voltaonline, the chief of the area, Nana Osei Brakatu II, said they could no longer live with their ( herdsmen) atrocities and would declare war on them should they miss the deadline.
He said farmers and residents found it quite amazing the inaction of the herdsmen that was emboldening them to attack and destroy their farms with impunity.
He called on the district assembly and security heads to make sure that the herdsmen leave immediately in the interest of peace.
Nana Adwoa Antwiwa II, Queen mother of the community and residents of the community lamented over the destruction of their farm crops by the herdsmen placing them into hunger strike.
They appealed to the security agency and the assembly to ensure that the animals are evacuated from the area.
The district chief executive officer, Comfort Akuea Atta, commenting over the increasing incidents, noted that the assembly in collaboration with the security services have put in measures to send the animals away from the area.
She said the assembly has already met leadership of the herdsmen and have agreed to leave within two weeks.
She advised members and landlords in the area not to accept these herdsmen to advert any trouble.
However, the district police officer, DSPS Essilfie-Donkor, assured residents that police will ensure to protect lives and properties as the command has already engaged with the herdsmen to leave the area.
He further urged residents to cooperate with the security officers for further negotiations to see the easy evacuation of the animals.
Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com
