command has taken proactive measures to forestall any clash between herdsmen and farmers in the state.
Awunah, who expressed concern over the sudden eruption of rancour between herdsmen and farmers in most communities across the country, said that the police will do everything possible to ensure that the state did not experience any clash between herdsmen and farmers.
Awunah, who was responding to questions from newsmen, yesterday, on the escalating herdsmen attacks and killings in some South-South states in recent times, urged Akwa Ibom citizens and residents to go about their lawful businesses without fear.
He said: “The issue has become a national phenomenon. It has also become an international phenomenon, so we will not wait for that to occur here. That is why we have taken proactive steps to forestall any occurrence in this state. So, as far as Akwa Ibom is concerned, the relationship between farmers and herdsmen is quite cordial.
“At
the state and divisional levels, we have what we call Conflict
Resolution Committee. This is made up of the community, the police,
stakeholders, farmers and herdsmen. The question now is, why this sudden
eruption of acrimony and insensitivity? We have put measures in place
to tackle head-long all forms of crime.
“And I want to say this
with all sense of sincerity, that in the crime index of Nigeria, Akwa
Ibom ranks the lowest. It appears that after the analysis we did, most
of the crimes that occur in the state stem from cultism. We discovered
about 40 cult groups existing in the state and of course in any society
made up of human beings, there must be crime and we are committed in our
crime fighting,” he added.
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