Herdsmen kill DELSU staff

A senior staff of the Library Department, Delta State University, DELSU, Abraka, was weekend, confirmed dead while an indigene of Obiaruku community sustained fatal machete wounds following an alleged attack on them by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Abraka, Delta State.

The attack is coming just as security operatives in Obikwere community, Ndokwa East Local Government Area of the state, arrested one of the herdsmen in the area for allegedly grazing in the night and destroying crops of farmers in the community.The DELSU staff identified as Sunday Idama, aged 55, a father of 14, was reported to have died as a result of machete cuts inflicted on him during the attack on his cassava farm at Ovre-Abraka, while the second victim, who was reported to have been shot at his farm, was able to drag himself to the main road where he was rescued and taken to a hospital in Obiaruku for medical treatment.

Reacting to the incident, member representing Ethiope East in the state House of Assembly, Evance Ivwurie, said: “I have reported to the whole world that I was briefed by my constituents residing across Ethiope East mainland towns/villages and Ethiope East hinterlands of Ovre-Eku/Abraka/Igun on the sighting by some of them of an unidentified helicopter said to be dropping supplies in the same Ovre-Eku/Abraka axis.

“Since my receipt of that brief, five of my constituents namely; Philip Akpine, Francis Okotie, Sunday Couple, Eyabigun Akpovena and Sunday Idama, have all been slaughtered by herdsmen at their farmlands in Ovre-Abraka which is a safe haven, dwelling and business place for thousands of Fulani herdsmen and their cattle.

“My people are defenseless and vulnerable to this menace. The atrocities of these herdsmen against my constituents include killing, kidnapping, maiming and rape.

“I to appeal to the security agencies to investigate the activities of the herdsmen and bring them to justice.”

Confirming the incident, state Police Public Relations Officer, Andrew Aniamaka, said: “We are investigating a case of murder and have deployed patrol teams to the area to ensure there is calm. Because it happened in the farm does not imply that it was an attack by herdsmen.”

We are already making enquires to what could have led to the incident and are not limiting our investigation to one area. We hope to bring to book whoever perpetrated the act.”