Boko Haram Scare Heats in Menchum Valley

The population of Benakuma council area in Menchum Division of the North West Region is living in fears and panic following the influx of cattle grazers from the neigbouring Nigeria. It is feared that during this transhumance period whereby grazers move at will into the municipality, carrying along with them heavy arms may lead to the infiltration of the Boko Haram sect. Num Elias Ihimbru tolf journalists a forthnight ago in Bamenda there are over 300 cattle that move into Benakuma from Wum, Zhoa and Nigeria. He expressed fear that the real problem is not the cattle but the fact that some herdsmen of Nigerian nationalities come along with heavy arms that has ignited fear in the population. He said some of the grazers’ loot farms and destroy crops making lives difficult in the municipality. He said some grazers have gone as far as raping women in the farms and creating an atmosphere of uncertainty. The Eye also gathered that some traditional rulers are accomplices to the invasion given that they are bribe with whisky and money to allocate grazing land to grazers in violation of the text in force. The mayor further revealed that the administration has been alerted on the looming insecurity in his municipality. Yet uncertainty looms large as to whether the traditional rulers who have chopped money would not be targeted whenever a commission goes down to the field. The mayor also regretted that all the wetlands are destroyed by cattle leaving untold damages of forest and the ecosystem. The Wetlands he said need government attention especally the Ministry of Environment, Nature Protection and Sustainable Development.

 

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