The Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) Worldwide on Thursday reiterated its call on the federal government to urgently tame the activities of marauding herdsmen across Urhoboland and other parts of the country, warning that it will no longer tolerate any further attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen in their communities.
It also called on the Delta State House of Assembly to immediately revisit and enact anti-grazing law to halt the continued killings of farmers and locals by terrorists operating in the name of herdsmen particularly in the state.
The President General of UPU, Olorogun Moses Taiga, gave the warning on Thursday when he led the leadership of UPU and other prominent Urhobo leaders on a condolence visit to the palace of the traditional ruler (Odion R’ Ode) of Uwheru Kingdom in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, HRM Agbaovwe Afugbeya, Iyise ll, over the recent killings of Urhobo indigenes by suspected herdsmen.
The UPU delegation, which also visited some of the affected communities, donated relief materials and cash gifts to families of the victims while assuring that UPU will do everything possible to ensure their safety.
UPU, apex socio-cultural umbrella body of Urhobo people worldwide, decried the killings in Uwheru communities as a sad commentary and urged all relevant agencies both at the state and federal governments to ensure that the marauding herdsmen vacate Urhoboland.
Olorogun Taiga, accompanied by UPU Board of Trustees Chairman, General Orho Obada (Rtd), Prof. Wilson Ibodje, Prof. G. G. Darah, Chief Emma Okumagba, Dame (Mrs) Christie Siakpere, Hon. Abel Oshevire and other executives of the union, demanded justice for families of the victims.
According to him, “We are here in solidarity with the entire people of Uwheru Kingdom, and more importantly to assure Uwheru People that you are not alone in this; the UPU and Urhobo Nation are with you and share in your grief and pains.
“Truly, words cannot compensate for your losses and the lives that have been changed forever. Words cannot fill the vacuum in your lives caused by the death of your loved ones that have turned you into widows, made you fatherless, orphans, and, possibly, left some without heirs. But, I want to assure you that our thoughts and prayers are with you, now and always.
“It is so heart-rending that these senseless massacre of defenceless citizens of the Urhobo Nation by suspected Fulani herdsmen took place without provocation, and while our sons were legitimately engaged on their farmlands, for food and day-to-day living. This is highly condemnable.
“Our ancestral lands, farms, forests and agricultural resources must be free from these hostile and vicious herdsmen. The continued presence of these killer herdsmen greatly hampers the productivity and profitability of our people and farmlands. The consequences of these on the peace, social cohesion, market stability, local economic survival and food security of the Urhobo Nation are negative and beyond comprehension.
“The lethal attacks and killings of our people by Fulani herdsmen in Uwheru and other communities in Urhoboland will no longer be tolerated. There shall be no room for foreign invaders in Urhoboland. The Urhobo Nation will never, ever surrender or cede an inch of her territory to any stranger. Enough is enough! These suspected killer Fulani herdsmen must be stopped.”
The UPU President General, while calling for the enactment of anti-grazing law across the state of the Niger Delta region especially in Delta, charged President Muhammadu Buhari-led to muster the political, moral and constitutional will to stop the herdsmen killing in the country particularly in Urhobo communities.
“The UPU demands justice for the victims of these herdsmen killings. Those responsible for the killing of our people at Agadama, Avwon, Ohoro, Oreba and Okugbe Communities must not go unpunished. Impunity does not have a place in the Laws of Nigeria, Delta State and our Communities. The Law must take its full course.
“The Federal Government, led by President Muhammadu Buhari, must muster the moral, political and constitutional will in stopping the heinous activities of killer herdsmen in Urhoboland. The menace is a huge obstacle to the peace, unity and sovereignty of the Nigerian Nation.
“The Urhobo People are law-abiding, but our patience is fast waning. It is the duty of the Federal Government of Nigeria to protect the lives and properties of every citizen of this great Nation. Mr. President must act now, lest anarchy reigns.
“The UPU, and indeed the entire Urhobo Nation, firmly agree and stand by the Resolutions of Uwheru Development Union (UDU) during its emergency meeting held on Saturday, February 22, 2020, particularly: That the killer Herdsmen MUST LEAVE the length and breadth of Uwheru Kingdom immediately.
“That the Delta State House of Assembly revisits and enacts the anti-grazing law without delay. That the military (Army in particular) and other security agencies must remain neutral and protect the lives of our people over unprovoked attacks. That the Federal Government through her relevant agencies come to the aid of the victims of the dastardly attack, among others”, UPU leader added.
Taiga commended the prompt response by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Rev. Francis Waive, General Orho Obada and other Urhobo sons and daughter who helped to restore calm to the affected communities.
Receiving the UPU delegation, the traditional ruler of Uwheru Kingdom, HRM Iyise ll, who spoke through Prof Patrick Mouboghare, a commissioner for Higher Education in Delta State, appealed to Urhobo leaders and President Buhari to prevail on the herdsmen to vacate their land.
The monarch flanked by a former Bishop of Ughelli Diocese, Anglican Communion (Church of Nigeria), Rt. Rev Vincent Muoboghare and other prominent chiefs of the kingdom, observed that the herdsmen are not Nigerians and was still operating in their farms even at the time of the visit.
He said his subjects who produced one of the best groundnuts (Uwheru Groundnut) in Africa were no longer going to farms for fear of attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen who have allegedly killed several farmers in the kingdom.
The Odion R’ Ode commended the UPU and Urhobo leaders for the support for his kingdom during the attacks, urging them to do more until the herdsmen had vacated their farmlands.
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