EFCMP Urges Hausa Community to Curb Open Grazing, Scrap-Related Excesses

EFCMP Urges Hausa Community to Curb Open Grazing, Scrap-Related Excesses

“Our Means of Survival Should Not Become a Problem to Others” — Nsimah

The Eket Federal Constituency Media Professionals (EFCMP) has urged members of the Hausa community engaged in businesses and other economic activities in Eket and its environs to conduct their operations responsibly and avoid practices that could undermine peace, public safety and the livelihood of other residents.

The call was made on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, during an engagement between the EFCMP and representatives of the Hausa community at Marina Junction, Eket.

The engagement, according to the media group, was aimed at strengthening peaceful coexistence, promoting responsible business practices and addressing complaints from members of the public concerning open grazing, vandalism and the alleged purchase of stolen property under the guise of scrap-metal trading.

Speaking at the meeting, the Chairman of EFCMP, Comrade Enobong Nsimah, said the media had a responsibility to promote peace and constructive dialogue among different communities.

He explained that the engagement was organised following complaints received from members of the public, stressing that dialogue was necessary to prevent misunderstandings and possible conflicts.

“This meeting is for us in the media to come and partner with the Hausa community to ensure that Eket remains peaceful. We have had some complaints from the public about some members of your community, and we thought it wise and necessary to have this engagement to guide against any dispute,” Nsimah said.

On open grazing, the EFCMP Chairman expressed concern over the alleged practice of allowing cattle to roam freely on major roads and into farmlands, noting that it could lead to road accidents and destruction of crops.

He urged cattle owners and herders to exercise greater control over their animals and respect the property and livelihoods of other residents.

“Everyone has the right to earn a living, but our means of survival should not become a problem to others,” he said.

Nsimah also raised concerns about activities associated with scrap-metal collection, particularly allegations that some individuals move from house to house collecting items that are still useful to their owners.

He called on scrap dealers to ensure that materials offered to them for sale were legitimately acquired and urged the association to strengthen its monitoring mechanisms.

“Some of these boys go to people’s houses to pick things that are still useful to the owners. I have witnessed cases where some of them entered a compound, poured away a pot of soup and took the pot. They should avoid buying stolen property,” he said.

Nsimah suggested that a monitoring committee be established, if one does not already exist, to oversee the activities of scrap dealers and ensure compliance with established rules.

Responding, the Special Assistant to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State on Arewa Affairs, Alhaji Ibrahim Wakwa, commended the EFCMP for initiating the dialogue and described communication and engagement as effective tools for resolving community concerns.

Wakwa assured the gathering that efforts were being made to control the activities of cattle herders, particularly with regard to open grazing.

He, however, appealed to residents whose farms or crops were damaged by cattle not to resort to self-help or violence, but to report such incidents to the police or community representatives.

“If cows destroy your farms or crops, please do not take the law into your hands. Instead, report to the police or come and report to us. We will make sure the owner of the cows pays for all damages,” Wakwa said.

He further emphasised the cordial relationship between the Hausa community and the people of Akwa Ibom, while commending Governor Umo Eno for what he described as his support and inclusion of members of the community in his administration.

Also speaking, the Vice Chairman of the Scrap Association, Akwa Ibom State, Mohammed Adi, said the association welcomed the engagement, describing it as an opportunity to clarify misconceptions surrounding the activities of its members.

Adi maintained that registered members of the association were not involved in vandalism or stealing, but acknowledged the challenge posed by unregistered scrap dealers operating outside the association’s rules and regulations.

“Any scrap dealer that is not registered with us is not part of our union or association. That is why, as a union, we are doing all we can to bring everybody together so that they can be part of our rules and regulations,” he said.

According to him, registered members are issued numbered aprons for identification, while the association has also established operational guidelines for its members.

He disclosed that members of the association do not operate on Sundays, explaining that the restriction was introduced as a measure to discourage criminal activities associated with scrap trading.

Adi further stated that members of the public who had complaints against scrap dealers could report to the association’s office at No. 9 Nkuba Street, Eket.

He, however, appealed to residents to distinguish between legitimate scrap dealers and individuals operating outside the association, noting that stolen property was sometimes presented to legitimate dealers as scrap.

He said such situations could expose unsuspecting buyers to arrest for receiving stolen property.

The engagement ended with a call for continued dialogue, responsible business practices and cooperation among the Hausa community, residents, security agencies and relevant stakeholders to sustain peace and peaceful coexistence in Eket.

By Emem Ebito