The debate surrounding the farmers-herders conflict in Tai Local Government Area continues to intensify. During an appearance on Rhythm’s News and Current Affairs Programme, View Point, Nnaa Erekpana, a former youth president of Ueken community in Tai, described the situation as a form of colonization by Fulani herders.
Erekpana accused that the crisis worsened after Barikpoa Serekara allegedly sold over 2,000 hectares of land belonging to Ueken community to Fulani herders, purportedly to establish an Islamic school. He expressed concern that the Rivers State Prohibition of Open Rearing and Grazing of Livestock Law of 2021 is not being enforced, further complicating the situation.
In response, Barikpoa Serekara rejected claims that he facilitated the influx of Fulani herdsmen into Ogoniland. He clarified that Fulani herdsmen have been present in the communities long before and denied any involvement in their movement to Ueken. Serekara also condemned the recent killing of an indigene of Ueken by Fulani herdsmen, calling for justice and the full enforcement of the law against the perpetrators.
The controversy highlights the ongoing security and land disputes in the area, with community leaders calling for dialogue and law enforcement to address the tensions.
