Outrage erupts after hunters torch yam storage facilities in Cross River

In Northern Cross River State, a surge in arson incidents has left communities reeling, with youths hunting for rats, snakes, and rabbits inadvertently setting fire to several yam barns while trying to flush out their prey in the bushes.

n

These young hunters, often moving in groups of five to ten, typically venture into forests and bushes after school hours or on local market days, armed with an array of tools including machetes, local dane guns, and dogs.

n

Fires intentionally set to scare animals have frequently spiralled out of control due to the region's persistent harmattan winds, resulting in the destruction of crops and farm structures.

n

According to John Olopu, a resident of Yache in Yala Local Government Area, the youths' method of setting fire to bushes to force snakes and rats out of their hiding places has led to uncontrolled fires that are driven by the harmattan wind, ultimately razing yam barns and other valuables.

n

Many farmers in the area store seedlings and yams for the rainy season in remote farm locations, making them vulnerable to such uncontrolled fires that can quickly spread and cause significant damage.

n

In North Ukelle, also in Yala LGA, a group of youths hunting rabbits set fire to a forest on Saturday, destroying a palm and bamboo estate in the process.

n

Farmer Udu Ngang lamented that the youths had previously destroyed his palm estate two years ago, resulting in the loss of his entire harvest, and despite warnings, they returned this year and destroyed his palms again.

n

In Alebo village, farmer Odey Adayi reported suffering the loss of his seed yams for the year's planting, but received a show of support from community members who responded with donations and seed replacements to help him recover.

n

Similarly, in Oloko Ogwope village, a young farmer named Odama Goddy lost his yam barn, including fat yams and carefully preserved seedlings, in a fire that he described as heartbreaking.

n

Odama Goddy emphasized that a yam barn represents months of hard work, sacrifice, and hope for the future, making it devastating to see it reduced to ashes.

n

In Okuku community, Ajepe Sunday suffered a significant loss when hunters' fires spread uncontrollably during a market day, destroying 11 bags of rice.

n

Elder Aleje Ejaki questioned how the youths could compensate for such losses, noting that the long history of hunting in the area has made rats and snakes increasingly difficult to find.

n

Aleje Ejaki stressed the importance of protecting and supporting one another, rather than destroying the fruits of honest labour, and highlighted the need for society to take notice when a farmer's hard work is destroyed.

n

Attempts by reporters to speak with the youths responsible for the damage were unsuccessful, as none were willing to comment or take responsibility for their actions.