The issue of Fulani herdsmen in Delta state is getting out of hand. Despite the coronavirus pandemic that is putting the world leaders on the toes, Nigeria inclusive, Fulani herdsmen are busy causing mayhem in parts of Delta state. They have been long disturbing the peace of the people of the state.
They have been terrorizing the people of Issele Asagba in Aniocha North and killed many people in that community but the government of Okowa seems to be taking the issue with loose hands. Not quite long they invaded Okpanam community, a suburb of Asaba, the state capital. In that invasion, the youth leader was reportedly killed and many others injured.
A few months back, the people of Uwheru in Ughelli North local government area of the state were badly hit by the Fulani herdsmen. The Fulani killed about 10 members of the community who went farm. The herdsmen ambushed them in the farm, killed them and buried them in shallow graves.
Reports that came from the community revealed that when some strong men with police went in search of the herdsmen, the Fulani herdsmen warned them never to come near their dwelling and the people with the police retreated and returned to the village.
That action led the community people to take a decision never to buy nor eat cow meat again in that community. It is however, not certain whether that decision is still standing till today. That was the effort and the decision of the community people and their kings to take their lives in their hands and defend themselves in the best possible way they can. The Delta state commissioner for higher education, Professor Patrick Muoboghare, is from the Uwheru community.
Along the Ibusa road of Asaba, reports came to us that the Fulani herdsmen also invaded the place and killed some persons in that outskirt of Asaba. The people living in those places are now afraid of their lives.
This is why Governor Ifeanyi Okowa must wake up from his slumber and take the issue very serious. There is no time to wait for Buhari. President Buhari will never make any statement that will lead to evacuating his kinsmen from the South. The governors must take their decision to rescue their people.
If Okowa keeps quiet, they will one day enter the city of Asaba and eventually enter government house and cause a major disaster. Governor Okowa must act now.
Individual communities should defend themselves.