Delta Lawmakers seek Okowa, security agencies’ intervention against criminal acts of Fulani herds’ men

·         Hon. Festus Okoh’s motion gets unanimous adoption

Legislators of the Delta State House of Assembly Tuesday in a unanimous resolution called on the State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and the security agencies to come to the rescue of Deltans against the incessant insecurity threats that the ubiquitous Fulani herds men have unleashed on communities in the state.

The resolution was adopted following a motion moved by Hon. Festus Chukwuyem Okoh (Ika South) who called attention to the atrocities that the Fulani herds men are committing, which is getting out of hand and tasking the patience of the people.

Shortly after adopting the resolution, Hon. Okoh in an interview with journalist said the motion he moved became necessary to find curb the disturbing trend of insecurity to life and property that the cattle rearers now posed to the people. “The atrocities they committing is on the high side. And as the saying goes, a stitch in time saves nine,” he said.

He recalled that most of the complaints is about the criminal activities being perpetrated by in his constituency, and the state in general is by the Fulani cattle rearers, who go about raping the women, destroying farm lands, kidnapping and killing the people.

“My worry is how they get the sophisticated arms they are using? Most times when they are caught, for armed robberies they are with AK 47 riffles and other dangerous weapons. So, somebody must be behind it. It is therefore, right that we call on the governor of Delta State, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa to call all the security agencies to be at alert and watch the activities of these Fulani cattle rearers . Our women, our female children are being raped every now and then in the farms. In my constituency, farming is our major means of livelihood. And now my people cannot go to farm because of the fear of being raped,” Okoh said.

He explained that in his constituency that it is a taboo, a sacrilege for a married woman to be raped. “That is why we are calling on the Governor,” he said.

Hon. Okoh also recalled how the disturbing trend of unwholesome activities of the Fulani herds men has become in recent times with the kidnap of notable personalities in his federal Ika constituency. “All the people apprehended are the Fulani cattle rearers. And up till date, we don’t know if they have been tried and convicted according to law, or what is happening to them,” he said, adding: “Of recent everybody is aware of the case of the Obi of Ubulu-uku, who was kidnapped. In the process, he was killed. It was in the same Ika Federal Constituency. The same people who perpetrated the criminal act are the Fulani cattle rearers. So, it is of public importance that we call on the Governor and the security agencies to come to our aid, not only in my constituency, not only in Delta State, but in Nigeria in general.”

In answer to a question, Hon. Okoh advised the people of his constituency to remain calm, and not take the law into their hands. “We are aware that the monarchs have called on the people, and restraining them from taking the law into their hands. When I met with them, I urged the people to be patient, noting that when we bring this motion that the Governor will swing into action, and the security agents will do their own part, while we keep watchful eyes on our communities,” Okoh declared.

In putting the question over the motion, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya observed that the issue of the criminal activities of the Fulani cattle rearers is unanimous, as the there have been cases of their activities overtime.