Students’ union body flays Delta govt over killings by herdsmen
Following the alleged killings of persons including the recent killing of a senior staff of the Delta State University, Sunday Idama, by suspected Fulani herdsmen, the National Association of the Delta State Students’ (NADESSTU), has flayed the state government’s alleged nonchalant act over the continued killings of persons, particularly farmers by the rampaging Fulani herdsmen in the state.
The students’ union body, which rose from emergency meeting on Monday, also issued a 21-day ultimatum to the state government to take measures in addressing the menace of the herdsmen failure of which it would face their unrest.
The students’ union body, however, appealed to the state government to take up the educational responsibilities of the children of the late DELSU staff, Idama, and others who had fallen victim to the attacks of the herdsmen.
Investigation revealed that over 36 persons have allegedly been killed in the past three weeks across the state, particularly within Kwale, Emuhu, Abraka and its environs communities by herdsmen after attacking the victims in their various farmlands or within.
But the students’ union body in a statement signed by its National President, Secretary respectively, Shaka Emomine, Otuorha Oghenekaro, a copy made available to our reporter, stated: “we have no option than to relocate to the state government house if no proactive measures are taken within 21 days to stern the tide of attacks by the herdsmen in and around the university community”.
Only last Sunday, reports said three farmers in Ubulu-Uku community were allegedly attacked by Fulani herdsmen in their farmlands, fortunately they escaped on a head breath.
One of the victims; Emode Edward told our reporter that the herdsmen inflicted body injuries on them during which an argument ensured between they and the herdsmen over the destruction of the farm crops, adding that he was currently being treated in a private hospital after matchet cuts but in a swift reaction, police officers in Ogwashi-Uku Police Division who did not want their names in the print, confirmed that the incident was being investigated, adding that no arrest was made yet.
It would be recalled that Sunday Idama, a Senior Staff of Library Department of the State allegedly owned University was murdered at his cassava farm in over-Abraka recently by suspected Fulani herdsmen part of the students’ union body statement read: “the incessant killing of our parents in the farm lands, is becoming too worrisome, we are deeply concerned, the destruction of property by these herdsmen in our communities is too grievous, we want them out of the state, government should take proactive action now or face our wrath” threatening that the sudden turn of events where herdsmen have abandoned cordial relationship extended to them, would be taken away with immediate effect.
The statement however urged the state government in the interest of peace to intervene by putting final end to the ongoing genocide by herdsmen.
In its reaction, the State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah, chided the students’ union leadership for its comments, saying that the state government under the leadership of Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa had never fold his hands to the alleged killings of persons in the state allegedly by the Fulani herdsmen, adding that the government in collaboration with security agencies has made tremendous successes curbing the menace.
He therefore urged the students’ union body to join hands with the state government to ensure huge success in the combat of the menace.
Meanwhile, corps members serving in the state have accused the state government of not paying them, N45, 000 each as the state government’s responsibility allowances to them.
The corps members who spoke to our reporter under condition of anonymity, described the state government’s alleged refusal to pay them the N45, 000 allowances as ‘wicked’, especially when other states in the federation pay corps members the N45, 000 allowances.
“We are about passing out and Delta State Government has refused to pay us our N45, 000 each, it shows wickedness and callous on the part of government” the corps members added.
In a swift reaction, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Festus Ovie Agas, described the corps members allegation as untrue, adding that for paucity of funds, state government finds it difficult to attend to all issues, except most pressing ones.
