By: Frank David
From: Ughelli
The traditional ruler of Uwheru Kingdom in Ughelli North council area of Delta State, HRM Ajuwe Omo-Adade 1 (JP) and the entire leaders of the five quarters that make up the kingdom have called on the state government to intervene on the ongoing feud between the community and Hausa/Fulani herdsmen in the area over destruction of their main sources of livelihood for ten years running.
They threatened to deal with the herdsmen if they are not called to order.
The threat is contained in a petition addressed to the state Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan by their counsel, Chief P.O. Wanogho and copied to all the security agencies.
The people whose main occupation is large scale farming and fishing have several hectares of arable land where cassava, yams, potatoes, okra, pepper, groundnuts and other crops are planted also have thousands of large hectares of land used for fish pond.
According to the petition, for over ten years running, “the Hausa/Fulani herdsmen have flagrantly, violently and criminally graze their herds on these same lands with impunity and even claiming ownership of same”, stressing that these cattle rearers sometimes even engage in armed robbery, stealing, killings and rape thereby unleashing violence on innocent indigenes in the bush.
The communities stated that there had been cases of serious clashes between them and these herdsmen in 2004 and 2005 in which lives and property worth millions of naira were destroyed with no lasting solution in sight. They added that presently the situation is playing itself out as their farm crops and fish ponds are being destroyed and polluted with impunity and one woman killed only recently in the bush.
While stating that there is general insecurity in the kingdom due to the unwholesome activities of the herdsmen, the people warned that to avoid anarchy, carnage, bloodbath and communal war, government at all levels and the relevant security agencies should urgently step in to save innocent souls.
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