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Edo, Abraka residents lament herdsmen’s activities

By Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu (Benin City) and Owen Akenzua (Asaba)
25 April 2017   |   4:08 am
Indigenes of Abraka community in Delta State have described the alleged statement credited to the state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Andrew Aniamaka, that Hausa/Fulani herdsmen...

Indigenes of Abraka community in Delta State have described the alleged statement credited to the state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Andrew Aniamaka, that Hausa/Fulani herdsmen were living peacefully with natives in Ovre-Abraka as false and misleading.

President General of Oruarie-Abraka community, Dr. Tedwins Emudianohwo, who spoke with newsmen at the weekend, said the police image-maker lied.

He explained that due to the security situation in the farms, the community has taken the initiative to sensitise its people by ensuring that they report any strange occurrence encountered on their farms. “We took this security measure so that the community would be prepared because we are sitting on a time bomb. The threat is real for our people. It is not normal to sight a helicopter delivering supplies to the herdsmen. That is why our people are geared to take necessary action if the need arises.

“It is the duty of the Federal Government to investigate this claim and prevent bloodshed. Up till now, the Delta State Police Command has not visited Ovre-Abraka to see things for itself. So, the PPRO is not in a position to make credible statements about what is happening in Ovre-Abraka. ”

But in a swift reaction, Aniamaka insisted that the relationship between Abraka indigenes and the Fulani herdsmen in the community was cordial and that there was no cause for alarm.

He further urged citizens to dismiss ‘fake stories’ about imaginary conflict.

In a related development, a Benin socio-cultural organisation, Benin National Congress (BNC) yesterday raised the alarm of an unusual large presence of Fulani herdsmen in some parts of the local councils in Edo South, a development it said was creating fear among the citizens.

In a statement signed by its president, Ainyamenkhue Edokpolo, the alleged clandestine activities of the marauding herdsmen are capable of jeopardizing the peace of the state.

It, therefore, called on Governor Godwin Obaseki to rise to the challenge of the looming security threat in the state.

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