Brave Dickson
Some rural farmers in Rivers State have stopped their farm business following fear of being killed amidst crises in some parts of the state.
The farmers who are especially drawn from the Ogoni and Ikwerre speaking nationalities in the state randomly told our correspondent that they have stopped visiting their farmlands in the crises prone areas in order to avoid being victims.
Some of them who gave their names as, Mrs Leesi Kpobari, Mr Chinule Amadi among others said though they will encounter hardship in the wake of not farming for now, they added that they don’t want to die as well.
“Farming is only what we survive with. Things are going to be tough with us as we stop farming. Our decision is based on our safety.
“We see a lot of dangerous things from these cult boys in the farm. Only God has been saving us. Our lives are in danger. We don’t want to die now.
“We used to be in the farm working when these cult boys with AK47 rifles will the passing for their deadly missions, “they said.
The farmers also called on government to assist them feed their families as lives according to them are really tough on them.
“We don’t have another thing to do outside farming which is what we inherited from our ancestors. We also don’t have anywhere to run to for refuge.
“We have dwelled in these communities all through our entire lives. We are now stranded and really need government to come to our aid, “they added.
The farmers also predicted poor harvest this year for them which they attributed to the continued killings in their communities.
However, the Rivers State police command has reiterated its toughness on perpetrators of crises in the state.
The state police image maker, DSP Nnamdi Omoni had assured residents of the state that concerted efforts have been deployed by security agencies to reduce crime and criminality in the state.
Recently, some parts of Gokana, Khana, Eleme, Obio/Akpor, Ikwerre, Emuohua local government areas among others have witnessed deadly cult and communal clashes which have led to the killings of many innocent lives.
