Herdsmen abduct 8 farmers in Delta
community
— 26th April 2016
From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
SUSPECTED Fulani herdsmen yesterday kidnapped eight persons in
Obiaruku, Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State and held
them hostage for several hours during which the victims were
allegedly tortured and brutalized.
The victims were said to be working in their farmland when the
herdsmen stormed the farm at about 6am and seized the workers on
the ground that they (farmers) were responsible for the killing of four
cows in the neighborhood.
Youth leader of the community, Comrade Chika Uwabuofu, however
said the victims were later released at about 2.30pm by the hostage
takers as tension was building in the community.
Uwabuofu who lamented the unwholesome activities of herdsmen in
the community, said that “for some time now, Fulani herdsmen have
been harassing our men and women in their farmlands, eating the
food in their barns and using their cows to destroy their crops.
“On account of this, we have been reporting their activities to the
police and a meeting was held by the council chairman, some top
government functionaries and the state chairman of the Fulani
herdsmen where they given three days to leave the community.
“Truly , they left, but after some days, some women came to report
that some Fulani herdsmen were seen with their cows in the
community. Then today, they held eight of our men hostage. We are
not aware that their cows were killed and butchered as they are
claiming.
“We appeal to the government to come and assist us by evacuating
them from our farmlands because that is our only means of
livelihood.”
As at the time of filing this report, security operatives were said to
have be drafted to the community to restore peace and calm frayed
nerves of residents.
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