By Austin Ogwuda
HIS Royal Majesty, Simpson Sapele Obruche, Obruche II, the Odion R’ode of Uwheru kingdom, Ughelli North local government area of Delta State has raised alarm over herdsmen attacks resulting to abandonment of farmlands by farmers for fear of being killed.
The alarm was raised while receiving his staff of office from the State government yesterday.
Presenting an address on behalf of Uwheru Traditional Council, the Chairman, Central Planning Committee in respect of the presentation of the staff of office, Hon. Benjamin Esemeteye lamented that agriculture being their major occupation is seriously threatened due to the activities of herdsmen.
Apart from the herdsmen menace they also noted the problem of flooding that yearly ravaged Uwhuru community and appealed for government intervention.
The Chairman of Ughelli North Local Government Area, Hon. Godwin Adode also lent his voice expressing worry over the constant attack by herdsmen within the area, noting that the situation had become unbearable and called for prompt intervention of the government to curb the situation.
Recall that sometime last year, staff and students of Ohoror Secondary School, Ohoror, Ughelli North local government area of the State fled their school over fear of being attacked by suspected herdsmen after an earlier attack in the school that left many wounded.
That incident prompted the then State Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof Patrick Muoboghare to visit the school and likened the situation in the community to Russia and Ukraine war.
Said he, “the school is not in session because herdsmen have chased the teachers and students away after the horrible event that occurred sometimes last week when they came and abducted three students.
“The community rose and pursued them into the forest and were able to rescue the children while three of our boys were shot and the following day, the same thing like that happened again.
“And this is a school where the government just gave us a project to renovate one of those classrooms and get in some lab equipment but the contractor handling the project has abandoned it because of herdsmen menace.
“The contractor has run away, the students and staff all gone because no parent will their child to be here under the circumstances that three children have been abducted here and rescued by the community at a cost.
“This has been happening over the years and if you recall, in February 15, 2020, about eleven of our men that attempted to rescue our women that were harassed by herdsmen were shot dead and now we are it again.
“The way I looked at is that Uwheru is Ukraine while the Nigerian government is Russia that just send their guarded missiles to Uwheru to humiliate us for doing nothing just like Ukraine did nothing”, the then Education Commissioner added.
Deputy governor, Sir Monday Onyeme who presented the staff of office to the monarch on behalf of the State Governor Rt Hon.
Sheriff Oborevwori gave assurance assured that his administration will continue to hold traditional rulers in high esteem.
He however urged the traditional rulers to work closely with the law enforcement agencies and local government councils to ensure that peace prevails in their respective domains.
“The traditional institution”, he said “remains a priceless legacy in any African society for which there is yet no credible substitute, as a rallying point for the people.
“In everything you do and in every decision that you take, I appeal to you to place the interest of the majority of your people and the fear of God above all other considerations”, he added.