Fulani herdsmen have resumed hostility on Isele -Uku/ Ubulu- Uku Road, in Aniocha Community of Delta State.
On Friday evening, a teacher and his daughter were attacked and after overpowering the teacher, the herders abducted his daughter.
As the herders were taking the girl away, the news got to the gallant vigilante members from Isele- Uku who gave the herdsmen a hot chase.
The herdsmen were said to have fled and abandoned the girl who was rescued by the vigilante members.
The Teacher is presently in a critical condition following the machete cuts he received from his attackers.
A few hours after the Teacher and his daughter were attacked, the herdsmen struck again as they abducted four persons on the same route.
Our source, Emordi, said:
“An elderly man has been shot dead in a blue coloured Toyota Corolla in about an hour ago by suspected Fulani Herdsmen, along Issele Uku – Ubulu Uku Road and other occupants of the vehicle are missing. From indications, they were returning from a burial ceremony of Late Mr. Alexander Iwedike Banye, from Umuolo Quarters, Onicha Ugbo.
“A driver’s license found in the car by the police and Vigilante members has the identity: IKEATOGBE ERIC. Of House 39, Oletukovie Street, Ikprukpru, Ughelli.
As at the time of this report, the number of the person(s) involved in the casualty wasn’t certain, hence there was no witness to give a clear account of the incident”
However, the Ubuntu- Uku, and Isele-Uku communities have appealed to the Delta – State government and the State Commissioner of Police Mr. Adeyinka Adeleke, to declare a state of emergency on the road.
Chukwukamadu Okolie, who spoke with Cornerstone News, said:
” We are making a passionate appeal to our Governor Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, and Commissioner of Police to declare the road a security risk. They should declare a state of emergency on the road and deploy adequate police personnel on the road. Christmas is fast approaching and that is the only route that connects many communities. We are pleading with the government and the police to do something drastic to curb the evil act of the herders”.
Mike Mordi, said:
” Remember that during raining season, the herdsmen would not be able to walk in the bushes properly because of the rain. Second, the lives are evergreen, but during the dry season, the bushes will be dried and it will be easy to walk. Then, the lives are getting dried, so the herdsmen will return and start looking for food for their cattle. I think the killing will increase this period of the dry season. We want the security agencies to intensify patrol on the road. More so, the police should team up with the vigilante groups in the communities to comb the bush and chase the herdsmen away.
” We should not fold our arms and watch helplessly as strangers from the North are killing us and collecting ransom in our land. We should use everything available to resist them. We should comb our bushes and chase them away. We should place a curse on anyone or families who harbour the herdsmen in our communities. Everybody should be vigilant and report any suspicious movement in his or her area. Please, be guided accordingly “.
A few months ago, three persons including a medical Doctor lost their lives to Fulani herdsmen and no arrest has been made.
