Following the recent attack purportedly carried out by suspected Fulani Herdsmen on Ofagbe community in Delta state, some communities in the state have barred the pastoralists from entering their areas.
The communities in Isoko North and Ndokwa East local government areas of the state, unanimously barred the herdsmen from bring their cattle into their lands to graze. Other communities in the decision include; Ashaka, Ushie and Igbuku in Ndokwa East and Ofagbe, Isoko North local government are.
The decision was contained in a statement signed by the communities’ representatives, Chief Gabriel Avwodeha, Chief Edoro Edafeyoma and others, which was issued at a meeting with the Chairmen of Isoko North and Ndokwa East local government areas, Mr. Emmanuel Egbabor and Mrs. Nkechi Chukura respectively at Ashaka, a copy obtained by Vanguard.
The decision was said to have been propelled by the destructive tendencies of the herdsmen across the state. The communities in the statement also hinted that the Fulani herdsmen that are already living in the areas would be asked to leave with their cattle immediately.
The communities also cited the killing of one other person at Afor community in Ndokwa East as part of their grievances.
They aggrieved communities warned that any resident caught collecting money from the herdsmen in view to giving them grazing lands would be arrested and prosecuted at a competent court of law.
The communities named other grievances against the ethic group to include rape, destruction of their farmlands and armed robbery, amongst other.
Responding to the representatives, Mr. Emmanuel Egbabor, chairman of Isoko North local government area, said the state government was handling the situation. The council boss also pleaded with the people of Ofagbe community and the victim’s relatives to remain calm.
He assured that the assailants would be brought to book as the leadership of the Fulani herdsmen in the state had been invited by the state government and security agencies to help with any hints on the culprits.
The menace of Fulani herdsmen is becoming worrisome as the pastoralists are getting renowned by the day for their destructive act in wherever they take their cattle to for grazing. To mention only but a few of such atrocities allegedly committed by herdsmen in recent time. Recall that few days ago herdsmen reportedly killed a palm wine tapper, Mr. Japheth Inibu and critically injured one Mr. Thompson Ogege in Ofagbe community, Isoko North local government area of Delta state.
Other reports also have it that three building contractors have been kidnapped at Amorji in Onicha-Ukwani community, Ndokwa West local government area in Delta state by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
Not quite long, one Chinwuba Ekwueme, a villager in Egede community in Udi local council area of Enugu state was also murdered by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
In what could have sparked ethnic division if not for the quick intervention of some elder statesmen, a renowned Yoruba elite, Chief Olu Falae, was allegedly kidnapped on Monday, September 21, during his 77th birthdat by suspected Fulani Herdsmen in his Ilado farm along Igbatoro Road, Akure North local government area of Ondo state. The Yoruba leader was later released after a ransom of N5million was allegedly paid to the abductors.
No comments:
Post a Comment