Call Fulani Herdsmen To Order: IYC Urges Relevant Stakeholders

The leadership of Ijaw Youths Council, IYC has demanded that the Federal and State Governments and relevant security agencies to call Fulani herdsmen operating in the Niger Delta Region to order or face the consequences.
This warning came on the heels of an on-the-spot assessment by the IYC to Toru-Angiama community in Patani local government area of Delta State after alleged killings perpetrated by Fulani herdsmen in the community on Monday.
The National Spokesman of the IYC, Ebilate Ekerefe, who spoke on behalf of the council, expressed concern over the continued silence of security agencies, the Federal and State government over the incident. The council insisted that it was a shame that the state and the federal governments were yet to condemn the dastardly act.
Ekerefe said, “This is not the first time and this is one too many where the Fulani herdsmen will enter into a community and kill their hosts. Ijaw nation cannot be conquered. We are peace loving as we accommodate individuals and groups but not to the detriment of our people.
“You cannot come to our land and kill our people and you expect us to keep quiet. While we are calling on our people to remain calm and peaceful, we will engage stakeholders on the appropriate action to take. We will remain vigilant and not allow a repeat. It is sad and unfortunate.
“It appears that there are external forces emboldening the Fulani herdsmen to kill our people with impunity. We will not condone it anymore.
“We are giving the state, federal government and security agencies time to call the Fulani herdsmen to order. Nobody should test the resolve of the Ijaw Nation. Today, the peace and security the federal government is enjoying is because the Ijaw nation has resolved not to carry arms and ammunition. But we are being provoked to carry appropriate action.
Also speaking, the paramount ruler of Angiama Community, Prof. Ganagana Wenikade told newsmen that the federal and state governments should respond quickly to the noticeable insecurity in the area to avoid total breakdown of law and order.
He said’ “The state government directed that we maintain peace and not allow any reprisal attack. That is what we are doing. But they should come quickly to intervene.”
It was learnt that Fulani herdsmen had allegedly killed a man and his son known as Dennis Egbejule and Abednigo Egbejule in his farm.
The man was shot dead while trying to rescue his son who was abducted by the suspected herdsmen for ransom according to sources from the community who revealed the suspected Fulani herdsmen were allowed to graze inside the forest and farms in the community.
It was also learnt that the Fulani herdsmen had held the son captive while asking his friend to get them food items from the community but instead of going to get the suspected Fulani herdsmen food items as ordered, the friend went to the deceased father to report.
The angry father entered the bush to rescue his son from his purported abductors but was allegedly shot dead. His son was also killed minutes after.