Fresh attacks by alleged Fulani herdsmen
on Ovre-Abraka, Eku/Egun communities in Ethiope East Local Council of
Delta State has unsettled its residents.
Punch reports that the
rampaging Fulani herdsmen numbering over 2,000 allegedly attacked some
farmers on their way home at the weekend and two were feared injured.
But senior police officers in Abraka
Police Division, who did not want their names in the print, said no case
of fresh attack was reported at their station, adding that the police
have mounted 24 hours surveillance in the areas.
A statement issued and signed by Chief
John Oghenovo, on behalf of the communities, claimed that over 10,000
herds of cattle, 2,000 herdsmen armed with sophisticated weapons,
including AK 47, are allegedly camped around the Ovre-Abraka Eku/Egun
across the River Ethiope.
It noted that it was from the alleged
camp (Ovre Abraka) that the herdsmen not only launched the attack on
indigenes of Abraka but also indigenes of Egun/Eku as well as
neighbouring communities, Okepara, Kokori, Isiokolo-Orhakpo, Ovei and
Okurekpo/Egbo.
The statement reads in part:
“Considering the herdsmen localisation in one place, one wonders why the
security agencies have failed to swoop on them till date. Our
housewives have been raped severally; we have tried to fight back the
notion that the government of Nigeria and its security agencies are
engaged in conspiracy of our silence against people when they are
expected to protect the lives of the people.”
Meanwhile, the member representing
Ethiope East Constituency at the State House of Assembly, Mr. Evance
Ivwurie, has asked the Federal Government to address the herdsmen menace
in the host-communities.
He said that failure to address the
situation might result in more killings and desolate in the communities.
The lawmaker also alleged that it is from the said location that they
(herdsmen) carry out their kidnappings and other nefarious activities.
However, as part of its proactive
measures to secure the volatile Abraka community and its environs in the
state, the police command has perfected plans to build three police
posts at strategic points in the areas to curtail the continued
herdsmen’s attacks on its residents.
It was gathered that the purported three
police posts would serve as observation points to indigenes of Abraka
community, particularly farmers of the areas, so that they could report
strange movements and whereabouts of suspected “killer” herdsmen to
ensure their lives are secured, including their property.
Read more at Signal.
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