Ashanti Regional Security Council is re-introducing ‘Operation Cow Leg’ in a renewed effort to evict Fulani herdsmen and their cattle from Agogo area.
Details of the measure are yet to be made public but officials say a joint police-military task force will be deployed to ensure successful execution.
Regional Minister Samuel Sarpong announced this after separate discussion with natives and the nomads during a visit by council members.
It follows last week’s trip to Agogo by top officers of the Regional Police Command in a bid to find solutions to what has become known as the Fulani menace.
Natives and other residents at Agogo and surrounding communities have for years raised security concerns about the activities of Fulanis.
They accuse the nomads of perpetrating crimes including murder and rape, besides the destruction of farm crops by grazing cattle.
Despite a court order in 2012 for the Fulani’s to be evicted, the protracted rift has persisted, and natives say it is becoming worse by the day.
The Fulanis have defied an arrangement to restrict them to a designated grazing area for their cattle.
Farming and other economic activities have negatively been affected, with some women suggesting they hire male escorts to be able to transport farm produce to market centres.
The Fulani Community admits causing destruction to farms but they seek to justify their action with claims they compensate affected farmers.
Spokesperson, Alhaji Mohammed Mairagu, however, pleads with REGSEC to show them mercy.
“We have destroyed farms but we have met some of them and paid them some money.
“Even last week for instance, we paid GH 10, 000 cedi to some of them. We will continue to talk to them to have a peaceful coexistence.
“What you have heard about our cattle is true but the bad weather is taking a toll on us that is why we can’t control the cattle,” he pleaded.
He says they will continue do everything possible to curb the situation.
That plea may have no place in RECSEC’s scheme of things.
Dr. Sarpong who chairs the RECSEC says a road -map for implementation will be ready by next week for the operation to begin.
“This time we are not leaving any chances. We are going to put all measures in place to activate the ‘Operation Cowleg’,” He said.
Residents are excited about the announcement, especially, in the presence of the top hierarchy of the region’s security agencies.
Some are however skeptical about the impact of such an exercise as similar attempts in the past gave them no respite.
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