Massive protest organized by residents of the 25 local government council areas of Delta State yesterday grounded movement along the Asaba- Benin Expressway, with travelers to the eastern states left stranded.

The protesters were armed with various placards, some of which read: ‘Fulani herdsmen must leave our state’, ‘Okowa intervene now’, ‘The killing, rape of married women must stop’, ‘Our farm crops have been destroyed, and our women cannot go out again.’ Over 63 communities in Delta State have been invaded by Fulani herdsmen who allegedly rape married women and destroy crops in farm. Besides, they reportedly have killed over 23 persons in the past six months while invading the communities.

But police commissioner in the state, Mr. Alkali Usman, told journalists at a news conference last week that the police have arrested no fewer than 23 suspected Fulani herdsmen who allegedly killed some farmers, including raping housewives. Reports said the protesters barricaded the Summit Nnebisi Road in Asaba to Expressway, leaving thousands of travellers stranded, including tanker drivers who parked their trailers to observe orders from the protesters.

Leader of the protesters, Eric Warri, who spoke to our correspondent, said: “We are protesting because of the Fulani herdsmen killing our people; they rape our people and destroy our farmlands.” It was reliably gathered that the protesters had in the early hours stormed Government House where they were addressed at the gate by the Chief Security Officer. The protesters chanting war songs vowed not to go home until the state government takes action on the alleged Fulani herdsmen killings.

Addressing journalists, the police image-maker in the state, Mrs. Celestina Kalu, said the protest was peaceful although it unsettled Asaba – Benin Expressway, adding that the police ensured no life was lost or property destroyed.