Farmers, Nmariobi, Joshua Count Losses As Fulani Herdsmen, Cattle Plunders Coconut, Beans Farms
By Nicholas Ebegboni
The duo of Engineer Egbon Destiny Nmariobi and Mr. Joshua Ijeriuwa Joshua counts their losses as Fulani herdsmen leads cattle into their coconut and beans farms, destroying crops worth millions of Naira.
Mr. Joshua Ijeriuwa  Joshua one of the victims while expressing his displeasure over the incident, during an inspection visit by the chairman of Cattle Dealers Association to ascertain the level of damage on Thursday, March 20, 2025, said the herdsmen dealt him, a blow that would take him years to recover from economically.
He decried the great loss in his farm, revealing that he spent millions of Naira to cultivate his coconut farm, which he inter cropped with leguminous crop which is beans. He lamented that at the time he was expecting to harvest the beans was when the herdsmen decided to invade his farmland with their cattle, and razed his entire farm crops to the ground.
Mr. Joshua stated that agriculture is the main source of livelihood for the Agbor people, as he affirmed that Agbor, and those from the northern part of the country, have been peacefully coexisting for generations, but noted that, the recent actions of herdsmen have caused great distress and alarm to Agbor indigenes.
He noted that, “Their herds of cattle have been roaming freely in our farm lands, destroying our crops and causing significant financial losses to us, saying that despite  numerous appeals and attempts to peacefully resolve this issue, the herdsmen have shown no regard for our land and have continued to graze their cattle on our farms indiscriminately.”
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Speaking further, he said, Â “We are deeply concerned about the environmental impact of these cattle on our land; the indiscriminate grazing has led to soil erosion and contamination of the community water sources, which are crucial for our agricultural activities.”
He once again, implored the local government chairman to take immediate and necessary action to resolve the issue , “We urge you to work closely with the relevant authorities to find a lasting solution that will protect the interests and livelihoods of the indigenes of our community.”
Mr. Joshua affirmed that he is aware that open grazing has been banned in Delta State, he therefore, called on the council chairman to enforce the law as he promised the last time some community members visited him on the issue.
“Necessary measures should be put in place to prevent any future incursion by Fulani herdsmen into our farm lands.” he appealed.
Addressing the Ika South LGA chairman, he said, “As the chairman of our local government, I trust in your ability to address this issue and protect the rights of our community, we are counting on your prompt and decisive action to ameliorate the plight of our people and restore peace and harmony in our community.” he quipped.
Speaking to newsmen also during the inspection visit to the farms destroyed by cattle at Alisimie community, Engr. Egbon Destiny Nmariobi noted sadly that despite the community’s efforts in trying to maintain peace with the herders, the herders have refused to amend their ways.
According to Engr. Nmariobi, even after the visit to the Ika South Local Government Chairman, Hon. Engr. Jerry Ehiwarior, the cattle rearers still continued to destroy the people’s farm crops.