The Chairman of the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Linus Nto Mbah, has said the clash between farmers and herdsmen and the destruction of farms in different communities in the state reduced in 2026.
The Monarch stated this on Saturday during the celebration of the 2026 new yam festival in his community, Ata Igbo Ukwu, Umuzomgbo autonomous community of Arochukwu local government area.
The sustained peace efforts initiated by the Abia State government for traditional rulers and the leaders of Northern communities in Abia, and indigenous cattle owners, resulted in a drop in the number of clashes between farmers and herdsmen in 2026, he said.
He noted that many communities in Abia State, including Ata Igbo Ukwu Umuzomgbo, recorded more harvests of yams and other produce in 2026 compared to the past few years.
He encouraged Abia farmers to return to their farms without fear of being attacked.
Eze Mbah, who cautioned the owners of cattle against marching their herds into people’s farms and private properties, promised that the traditional rulers would continue to support peace efforts of Governor Alex Otti at ensuring security in lands and forests.
He urged the federal government to ensure that agricultural funding and other inputs meant for genuine farmers are not delivered to politicians or other individuals who have no farms.
“More Nigerian youths would be interested in farming if they are supported with adequate funding and they are ready to go into commercial agriculture if the farms are made safe,” Eze Nto said.