Stop Killings Of Farmers By Herdsmen, House Tells IGP

ABUJA, April 16, (THEWILL) - The House of Representatives, Tuesday, directed the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, and all relevant security agencies to investigate incidents of clashes between farmers and Fulani herdsmen across the country with a view to bringing the culprits to book.

This followed the adoption of a motion under matters of urgent public importance raised by Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai on ‘Brutal Killing of Ten Indigenes of Ogume Community by Herdsmen in Delta State’ on the floor of the House, which sought for the peaceful co-existence of farmers and herdsmen in every community they find each other.

Ossai, who represents Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency in Delta State, noted with grief the reported killings by seven herdsmen of 10 indigenes of Ogume community on Saturday, March 13.

He recalled that prior to the killings, a meeting between the community and the herdsmen was held wherein the herdsmen were told to take their cattle to areas in the community that do not fall under cultivation.

According to him, the community decided to relocate the herdsmen, following the destruction of farm crops from the grazing activities of the herds and ceaseless raiding and carting away of yam tubers from the community’s yam barn.

Ossai noted that "Rather than comply with the relocation order, the herdsmen on that fateful day, ambushed and brutally murdered ten farmers, who were on their way to their respective farms.”

He particularly felt disturbed that AK47 guns and other sophisticated weapons were used in the unprovoked attack, which he described as senseless and in the least unimaginable.

In its resolution, the House condemned in strong terms the barbaric killings, and mandated its relevant committee to commiserate with members of the bereaved families.