Herdsmen quit Cross River after 72-hours ultimatum

The Fulani herdsmen in Cross River State have quit Ikaptang community of Ishibori in Ogoja Local Government Area after a four-day ultimatum given to them by the villagers.

The cattle rearers according to TOPNAIJA source were given the ultimatum on Monday by the community to leave by 12 pm on Thursday.

Sources hinted that the herdsmen left quietly and peacefully on Thursday without exhibiting any form of violence.

One of the community leaders, Mr. Ibu Monkom said he was pleased to be informed that by 12 noon on Thursday, the ultimatum given to the Fulani’s was adhered to.

He also thanked both the Ikaptang and the Fulani community who opted for dialogue to resolve their differences.

“Thanks to the various stakeholders, the elders, clan head and village heads of Ishiborr, the Sarkin Hausa of Ogoja, the security agencies – the divisional police officers in Ogoja, the police area commander in charge of the northern senatorial zone, the DSS Ogoja, the civil defence corps, the army formation in Ogoja, legislators and government appointees from Ogoja and all agencies and persons too numerous to mention and especially you for the time you have committed to the resolution of this crisis.

“It had not been easy in some communities which often resulted into death of people and cows and wanton destruction of properties. This has often resulted to getting people internally displaced and adds pressure to our security agencies.

“If we have succeeded to resolve the matter amicably, you too can succeed if you take a peaceful approach and taking all the critical stakeholders along trying to resolve conflicts.

“You can see that the elders, men, women, and youths of this community are all smiling because they can go to farm without fear of destruction of their crops or harassment from the Fulanis.

This would have no value if I don’t salute papa God for being behind this, because without Him nothing would have been possible,” Monkom said.

It was gathered that the Ikaptang community had given the Fulani herdsmen an ultimatum of 4 days to leave their land so they can grow their crops.