The traditional ruler of Okpanam kingdom, Oshimile North Local Council of Delta State, Michael Mbanefo, has alleged that suspected Fulani herdsmen have been killing his people in their farmlands.
“I have written to the police and President Mohammed Buhari to come to our aid, so that our men and women can go to their farm freely without being attacked,” he said.
Also speaking on the illegal land acquisition in the community, he said those who acquired lands illegally would forfeit them as a committee saddled with the responsibility to look into the issues, would act on the mandate to ensure the “lands are recovered from usurpers, unless the lands were genuinely acquired.”
In another development, following the recent killing of two brothers, Akpovona Felix and Akpupu Sunday, by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Urhuoka community, Abraka, the President-General of Urhuoka Development Association (UDA), Mr. Freeborn Ukrakpor, has resigned his position as President-General.
In a letter dated January 7, 2017, and titled “Letter of Resignation” addressed to the Ovie of Oruarivie, Abraka kingdom, Akomeyoma Majoroh, Freeborn said: “I write to announce my resignation from the position of President-General Urhuoka Development Association (UDA).
“After due consideration of the trend of events in Urhuoka community over the period of my being in office, my entire family and I are convinced that as president-general, I will always be far away from the peaceful life I retired home to live.
“It is unimaginable that the people of Urhuoka community would neglect the Fulani herdsmen that killed our people, and direct their retaliation at me, for being the president-general. The disturbances of Fulani herdsmen have long been before I returned home from the city on retirement.”
He stated that as a community leader, he could tolerate constructive criticism from his community, but would not tolerate any blackmail relating to Fulani herdsmen operations, and for that reason, “I hereby step down from UDA as President-General with immediate effect.”
In the mean time, a new acting president-general has been appointed to manage the office until a new president-general is elected. John Avwenaghegha will act for the next two months pending when a new president-general is elected.
Meanwhile, the Partner for Peace in the Niger Delta, Delta State chapter, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to launch an intensive campaign, aimed at mopping up illegally acquired arms in the country, especially in the Northern states and communities where Fulani herdsmen are terrorising people in the South-South region.
The coordinator, Kenneth Atsenuwa, also urged the president to create time to visit Southern Kaduna, saying, such a step will boost trust in his government.
Source: Guardian