The cattle invasion that rocked Umuezerokam village in Umuoma Autonomous Community in Nekede, Owerri West LGA of Imo state on the 14th day of June, 2023 has been resolved without any clashes or bloodshed.
Recall that Umuezerokam farmland was destroyed by cattle owned by a Kaduna herder who later reported himself after initially fleeing. The matter was resolved and he paid a token compensation to recover his cattles.
Eye witnesses disclosed that the cattles were spotted grazing on Okam farmlands in Nekede Owerri West and destroying cultivated crops like maize, melon, cassava, okro and vegetables before a tip off to the local security who in turn notified the the Umuoma Nekede Divisional Police headquarters. The DPO deployed men to the scene of the incident where they confirmed the level of destruction and damage the cows have caused farmers in Okam farmlands and had the cows arrested after the herder fled the scene during an initial interrogation by Okam security leaving the community in tension.
In an amicable resolution of the matter at the Umuoma Police Headquarters, the cost of the damaged crops was estimated to be ₦1 Million but ₦150,000 was finally paid as compensation after a series of remorseful deliberations. The families affected are, Mr Anthony Amadi, Snr, Apostle Emma Emeto and Mr Leonard Obiyor and the owner of the cattle identified himself as Ibrahim, a herder from Kaduna State, who reside in Obinze.
The cattle were thereafter handed over to the herder, Ibrahim, who arrived from Obinze community to take custody of his cows.
