Monarch chides FG for inaction on herdsmen menace, killings in Delta

*As ASUU Declares Wars On Herdsmen

The Ovie of Umiaghwa-Abraka kingdom in Delta state, HRM Lucky Ochuko Ararile, has described the continued killing of his people by Fulani herdsmen as failure on governance on the part of the federal government, saying that the situation currently portends nightmare for his people.
The monarch who spoke to journalists on Thursday, criticized the federal government for keeping silence on the killings especially in the South South, orchestrated by Fulani herdsmen, wondering why the government that is supposed to protect the lives of the people and their properties, would remain indifferent despite the havoc wreaked on Nigerians.
He said that there was no reason why the Fulani herdsmen would trespass on the people’s land and their farm, describing it as taboo and abnormal.

“We are in the Nigeria of the 21st century and as such, I see no reason why such barbaric actions should be allowed, my people are under siege of Fulani herdsmen killings, it is sad,”he lamented.

The monarch noted with sadness how herdsmen have killed many people in the country and in Delta state in particular, saying that it has become mere statistics to them as they no longer have regard for human lives, and called on the government to break its silence on the issue.

Meanwhile, the Academic State Union of Universities (ASUU) Delta State University (DELSU) Abraka, has declared war against the rampaging herdsmen in the areas. Its chairman, Prof. Abel Diakparomre who expressed concern on the continued killings orchestrated by herdsmen in Abraka town and its environs, said ASUU was ready to collaborate with the state government are security agent to end the killings.

While urging the Ovie of Oruarive-Abraka kingdom, HRM Akpomeyoma Majoroh Ojetta II to put the union under its protective hands, the ASUU chairman described nefarious actions by herdsmen as worrisome, adding that spatial location of the sites of the University in Abraka presents an integrative occupation structures which do not separate the town and gown, especially when there is a breakdown of law and order.

He said that “about a month ago, a non-teaching staff of the university was brutally murdered by herdsmen, another again by same herdsmen, this, has elicited a reaction which caused a disruption of public peace in the community” disclosing that Abraka has a status and student population of over 20, 000 and state numbering over 2, 000 from different ethnic nationalities who cannot be facing security challenges.

He therefore urged the state government to intervene directly and use its might with a view to addressing the Fulani herdsmen’s menace in different parts of the state, stating that unless this is done urgently, he feared that citizens could resort to “self-help.”

In another development, irked by the spate of herdsmen insurgence, the Delta State House of Assembly in its plenary on Tuesday adopted the report on a bill for a law to provide for the control of nomadic cattle rearing in Delta State and for the establishment of the Delta State Advisory Council on Nomadic Cattle Rearing.

Presenting the report, the Chairman, House of Committee on Agricultural Resources, Hon. Evance Ivwurie, said the law when passed would curtail the nefarious acts of herdsmen in the state. Ivwurie who decried the extent of wanton injury inflicted on the psyche and purse of farmers in the state, said the bill was coming at a time when the devastating menace of herdsmen had become unbearable.

His words: “conscious of the challenges before the committee, the bill was thoroughly studies section by section, clause by clause along with the position presented by the host communities, security agencies.

Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and representatives of the herdsmen and Muslim community.”

“There is no gain saying the fact that any nefarious herdsmen who graze, kill, kidnap, rape or attack our innocent constituents, invade their farmlands and destroy their property will meet face to face with the law and justice if this bill is finally passed into law.” he added.

It will be recalled that the bill was committed to the House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources after its second reading on Wednesday, January 23, 2017.

Bomadi moved that the report be received by the House and was seconded by the Member representing Oshimili South, Hon. Peter Onwusanya.