Caution Herdsmen Against Attacking Farmers In Rivers, Fubara Tasks Muslim Clerics .Assures Secure Environment For Worship, Businesses

By Editor

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged clerics to caution herdsmen against harassing residents of communities, killing farmers, and damaging crops in the state.

The governor gave this charge when he received at Government House in Port Harcourt, the leadership of the Muslim Community, who paid a visit in the spirit of the Muslim festival of Eid-al-Adha on Thursday, June 29.

The charge was contained in a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Governor, Boniface Onyedi.

Fubara explained that the purpose of his administration is to remain firm in protecting the lives and property of everyone, which has made it possible for them to celebrate in a peaceful atmosphere and therefore, must not truncate the course of creating a better Rivers State for all residents.

The governor pointed out that his administration cannot be protecting their businesses while some errant members of their fold are destroying the businesses and livelihoods of others, warning that if it persists, the government will be compelled to wield the full force of the law against perpetrators and bring them to justice.

The statement quoted the governor as saying that: "The local government areas are complaining, so, I expect results in a couple of weeks by calling these people who practice open grazing to order in Ikwerre, Etche, Ahoada East, Ahoada West and parts of Emohua local government areas. They shouldn't be harassing the people, and should stop killing them in their farms."

Fubara assured of keeping the channel of communication between it and the Muslim community open because they were critical stakeholders in governance who should enjoy the benefit of the prevailing peace to do their business and worship without molestation.

In his address, the leader of the delegation, and Vice President General, Council for Islamic Affairs, Rivers State chapter, Alhaji Nasir Awhelebe Uhor, vowed that the Muslim community would not be involved in using religion to destabilise the state while also pledging support for the policies and programmes of the government of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.