Residents raise alarm over herdsmen grazing in Calabar metropolis

CALABAR – Residents of Calabar, Cross River State capital have raised alarm over herdsmen taking their cattle to graze at the metropolis.

Converseer reports that incidents like this have been ongoing in the city but not as close to the centre of the town as today, where a herder was grazing openly with his cattle along the Murtala Mohammed Highway by Mother and Children Hospital.

With what is happening in Benue, Plateau, Kwara, and Nasarawa, residents are calling on the government to see to the abnormality before it turns into something else.

One of the residents, Greg Betiang, who showed concern for both safety and environmental impact, wondered how we got to where we are today where herdsmen will be comfortably grazing with their animals in the heart of the town.

“This is unacceptable in a state Capital. How can these herdsmen be grazing openly in a major city like Calabar, along the Highway by Mother and Child Hospital?

“Please, all the appropriate authorities should take action before this menace gets out of hand.

“Commissioner for Environment, CUDA (Calabar Urban Development Authority), please you need to act fast. One of the cleanest States in Nigeria is now an open grazing zone for herdsmen!!!” Betiang fumed.

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Another concerned resident, Jossy Asuquo, who said she also saw the animals grazing at the said location, said, “I was very disappointed,” calling on all relevant authorities to put a stop to this action.”

Converseer reports that this is not the first incident and place, as areas like Parliamentary Extension, Satellite Town, Highway, Harbour, Esuk Utan, and Eastern Highway by UCTH, are now red zone for open grazing by these herders.