Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has charged Muslim clerics in the state to caution herdsmen against harassing residents of communities, killing farmers and damaging crops in the state.
Fubara gave this charge when he received the leadership of the Muslim community who paid him Sallah’s visit at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Thursday.
The governor’s media aide, Boniface Onyedi, revealed in a statement that Fubara told his visitors that his administration was committed to protecting the lives and property of everyone in the state.
However, he said he could not be working hard to protect everyone while some errant members in their fold would be destroying the businesses and livelihoods of others.
Fubara said, “The local government areas are complaining; so I expect results in a couple of weeks by reining in these people who practise open grazing in Ikwerre, Etche, Ahoada East, Ahoada West and parts of Emohua local government areas.
“They shouldn’t be harassing the people and should stop killing them in their farms.”
Fubara assured them that he would keep the channel of communication between him and the Muslim community open because they are critical stakeholders in governance and should enjoy the benefit of the prevailing peace to do their business and worship without molestation.
In his address, the leader of the delegation, and Vice President General of Rivers State Council of Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Nasir Uhor, vowed that the Muslim community would not be involved in using religion to destabilise the state, while also pledging support for the policy and programmes of Fubara’s administration.
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