…Rep, chiefs call for peace, youths react
By: Felix Ikpotor
Residents of Agbeta 2 and Nyorkuru Communities in Eleme and Khana in Ogoni, Rivers State are still counting their loses following attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen in the communities which left three persons dead.
Whil Agbeta 2 community was attacked last Saturday around 11:00am leaving a youngman by name Bariduura Kpakol and a teenager dead, suspected Fulani herders struck in Nyorkuru on Thursday killing one Lebatambari John.
An indigene of Agbeta 2 community who gave his name simply as Mr Kayone said his people are now helpless and defenceless.
He said over ten persons have been killed in the community by Fulani herdsmen in the last three years.
He said: “The helpless villagers who have no hope in sight are busy packing and deserting the Community.
” In all, over 10 persons have so far been killed within three years in addition to destruction of our crops.
He called on other Ogoni communities to come to their aid as the community is gradually being sacked by marauders.
Meanwhile, the member representing Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency, Dum Dekor during his visit to Nyorkuru over the incident, condoled the family of the deceased.
He charged the police to come to the root of the matter and bring the perpetrators to book while appealing to the community to remain calm.
On his part, a first class traditional ruler in the area and Gbenemene Bangha Kingdom, Mene Suanu Baridam while reacting to the killing, called for restraint from indigenes of the community while urging the police to intervene.
However, Ogoni youths have warned the Fulani herdsmen operating in the area not to take their silence weakness threatening that any further attack from them, they would meet a stiffer resistance.
President-General of Ogoni Youths Federation, OYF, Dr Legborsi Yamaabana while calling on the police and other security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly act.
He noted that the people who are predominantly farmers now live in fear as the herders attacks their crops and always threaten them with violence each time.
He said: “It is critical that security agencies act decisively to arrest and prosecute the fleeing herdsmen responsible for this killing,” adding, “The destruction of farmlands and the murder of our innocent people cannot and will not be tolerated”.
Yamaabana added: “While we remain committed to peace, let this serve as a clear warning. Our peaceful nature should not be mistaken for weakness. Should such attacks continue, we will have no choice but to defend ourselves and our land with every means at our disposal”.
The youth leader said Ogoni will not allow such atrocities to go unchallenged, threatening, “Any further violence against our people will be met with a resolute response,”
Also speaking, National President of Ogoni Youths Development Initiative, OYDI, Comrade Imeabe Saviour Oscar said the action by the herdsmen was condemnable and further called on Ogoni people to come together to halt further occurrence.
He said it was time to take decisive action against the herdsmen as according to him, calling on the police and waiting on government would yield no result.
“We want Ogoni people to come together not to appeal to government to stop it but to take action by ourselves because the Fulani herdsmen has chosen to disobey even the Federal Government but they can’t overcome Ogoni people.
“We gave them the chance to be on our land and do their business and not come and assassinate our people, so if they are no longer interested in living amongst us, they should leave else we shall take decisive action against them and act in such a way that both Federal and State governments may not be happy with it,” he warned.
When contacted concerning the killings, the Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko promised to get back to our reporter but didn’t until the time of this report.
