Lawmaker cries out over menace of Fulani herdsmen in Abraka

A member representing Ethiope East state constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, Mr Evance Ochuko Ivwurie, has called on the Federal Government to come to the rescue of his constituency  which is under the seige of Fulani herdsmen.

The lawmaker specifically called on President Muhammadu Buhari, the Inspector General of Police, the Director-General of  the State Security (DSS), the Chief of Defence Staff and other heads of their security agencies to rescue Ethiope East from incessant killings, kidnappings, rape and destruction of their farmlands by Fulani herdsmen.

Honourable Ivwurie, who made the call at a press conference  at the palace of Ovie of Oruarivie-Abraka, Akpomeyoma Majoroh, at Abraka, recently.

According to the  lawmaker, the rampaging Fulani herdsmen were usually armed with Ak47 and other lethal weapons.

He stated that in spite of the fact that the people of Ethiope East had  always reported the incidence of killings, kidnapping, rape and destruction of farmlands by Fulani herdsmen to the Federal Government, the Nigeria Police and other security agencies, no one had been prosecuted and no action had been taken to investigate any of the matter.

According to him, “Lands in Ethiope East Local Government Area are arable, fertile and the constituency  peaceful.

“We have business in our hands; this matter must be in the front burner and we call on the Federal Government to come to our aid.

“This invasion by Fulani herdsmen and annexation of our land cannot push us out of our God-given land.

“Our right is our right and we are ready to do everything possible to protect the rights of our constituents,” he said.

He faulted the claims by the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Andrew Aniamaka, that the Ovre R’ Abraka is temporarily inhabited by a minimal number of herdsmen and that the herdsmen were living peacefully with members of Abraka communities.

“Does it mean that those who invade our farmlands, destroy our crops and kill our people are ghosts?

“Our farmers are now scared of going to their farms which are now occupied by over 10, 000 cows and over 2, 000 Fulani herdsmen carrying sophisticated weapons.

“Our farmers and people are afraid to carry out farming activities, which has resulted in shortage of farm produce and increase in the prices of the little that is available.

“This is the  story of the people of Ethiope East  today. As I speak, my heart is bleeding; I am trying to hold back tears,” Ivwurie said.

Meanwhile, the President-General of Ovre R’ Oruarivie-Abraka, Joseph Emudainohwo, has said that the press conference was aimed at putting Federal Government, state police commands and Hausa/Fulani herdsmen on notice that all Hausa/Fulani herdsmen are to vacate Ovre R’ Oruarivie-Abraka farmlands with immediate effect.

The president-general said: “Government should establish a permanent military and police posts in the area to protect our farmers from the activities of these herdsmen and  immediately set up a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the source of  arms, ammunition and weapons carried by the herdsmen.