By Godwin-Maria Utuedoye
The Delta State House of Assembly, Tuesday, adopted a resolution calling on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to as a matter of urgency act swiftly to halt incessant attacks by herdsmen across various communities, particularly in Uwheru and Environs, in Ughelli North local government area.
The House worried by the rising spate of insecurity in the State, urged the Governor to direct relevant security agencies to rise up to the challenge.
The resolution came following a motion raised under matters of urgent public importance at Tuesday’s Plenary by the member representing Ughelli North 2 State Constituency, Hon. Spencer Owhofa.
Hon. Owhofa at the the plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor noted that the motion had become imperative following a recent attack by suspected Fulani herdsmen on residents of Uwheru community where a farmer was brutally murdered by the suspected herdsmen as well as inflicting injuries on several others.
In the motion which was seconded by the member representing Ughelli North 1, Hon. Matthew Omonade and unanimously adopted, after rigorous debates on its merits, asked Rt Hon Oborevwori to compel the State commissioner of Police and other relevant government agencies to investigate, arrest and bring to book the herdsmen who invaded Uwheru community on Monday, February 5, 2024 in Ughelli local government area where one Mr. Ikupeni was killed during the annual fishing festival at Emuede lake.
Apparently unhappy with the development, Hon Owhofa sought the support of his colleagues to ensuring that security measures were beefed up in the various localities through regular 24 hours patrol by a joint operation of the Nigerian Police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Local Vigilante as well as the Community Security Corps.
Saying that the development if left on checked, could result to unprecedented breakdown of law and order in the State, the lawmaker asked the security agencies in the State to ensure that the continuous killing, rape, attack and harassment of residents of the State was stopped.
Ohwofa while saying that the killing, harassment and rape of residents of Uwheru community by suspected Fulani herdsmen has become an annual embarrassment, warned that the sad narratives could lead to breakdown of law and order in the locality if urgent measures were not taken.
The Lawmaker who quoted several relevant sections of the Constitution to drive home his arguments on the need for government to protect the lives and property of the people, expressed the need for measures that would restore peace and order in the affected communities.
The Majority Leader of the House, Emeka Nwaobi, Minority Leader, Dafe Emakpor, Deputy Majority Leader, Festus Okoh, Chief Whip, Perkins Umukoro, Deputy Majority Whip, Emeka Osamuta, member Representing Bomadi, Oboro Preyor, Oshimili South, Bridget Anyafulu, Isoko South 2, Ferguson Onwo, Oshimili North, Frank Esenwah and Patani, Emmanuel Sinebe, spoke extensively on the merits of the motion.
The Lawmakers who observed that similar urgly development were being experienced across the country, expressed concern that not much was being done on the matter by the federal government.
The urged President Bola Tinubu to act fast to address the national embarrassment, stressing that the growing insecurity in country needs to be resolved without further delay.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon Emomotimi Guwor, who condoled the people of Uwherun over the attack and loss of an indegene, directed the Acting Clerk of the House, Mr. Otto Aghoghophia to convey the House’ resolution to the State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori for immediate implementation.
The House adjourned till Wednesday, February 7 2024.