HERDSMEN INVASION: Delta North Monarchs Spit Fire

Worried by unwarranted attacks on some Delta north communities, traditional rulers in the senatorial district have unanimously warned arms bearing herdsmen to stay away from any part of the district in their own interest.

The traditional rulers also charged the communities to strengthen their security outfits in readiness for the rampaging herdsmen.

These were part of the decisions made at an enlarged meeting of members of  the Delta North Traditional Rulers Forum held at the Palace of the Obi of Owa  Dr Emmanuel Efeizomor the second, who is also the Chairman of the Forum, as well as the Delta State Traditional Rulers Council’s helmsman.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the Kings viewed seriously the unwholesome activities of some herdsmen who had turned the affected communities to theatres of war.

They contended that the conventional security architecture had failed to protect the lives and property of people in the affected communities and called on locals to be prepared to defend themselves from unwarranted attacks.

The traditional rulers also expressed concern over the poor handling of the security situation by the federal government and advocated immediate action to address the deteriorating situation in the country.

The Delta north traditional rulers warned that the peaceful disposition of the people should not be taken as cowardice, adding that further attacks on any part of the senatorial district would not be tolerated.

The monarchs called on the people to be more vigilant and security conscious, stressing the need to document all Okada and Keke riders in urban and rural centres in the district in view of the alleged complicity of some of the operators in security breaches.

While thanking vigilante groups for their contributions so far to the maintenance of law and order, the monarchs urged them to screen their members to ensure there were no bad eggs that could sabotage their efforts.

They appealed to the security agencies not to compromise the safety of the people, advising that any information given to them must be processed and treated with utmost confidentiality.

The royal fathers commended Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for championing peace and development in the state and pledged their total support for his administration.

The crucial meeting was attended by the Dein of Agbor, Kiagborekuzi the first, other traditional rulers, Local Government Chairmen, Community Leaders, Presidents General of Town Unions, Youth Leaders, and representatives of Vigilante Groups in the senatorial district.