…Call On Federal, State And Local Government To Wade Immediately Wade In
It was indeed a pathetic and pitiable scenario as vehicular movements and commercial activities around the Bomadi and other coastal communities along the Uduophori-Bomadi area of Delta State was grounded for several hours as the people of Uduophori community in Patani Local Government Area of the state barricaded the only access road leading to the area following the dastardly amputation of a 28 year old motorcycle rider, Freedom Akpodiete by suspected fulani killer herdsmen.
According to the protesters who were bent on shutting down all movements in and from the area, the victim, Mr Freedom Akpodiete, a commercial motorcycle operator (popularly known as okada ) and a father of two, was attacked while conveying a passenger to Uduophori community.
Sources from the community in their emotions described the victim as the bread winner to his family and his aged mother who is also a widow.
Displaying placards with different inscriptions such as ‘Fulani leave us alone, ‘Stop raping our wives, women and daughters’ ‘President Tinubu rescue us from Fulani herdsmen killings, ‘Governor Sheriff Oborevwori come and rescue us from herdsmen bondage’, with branches of leafs, the protesters alleged that the community has been besieged by the killer herdsmen, disclosing that the Fulani Herdsmen has deprived them from entering their own bushes and farms for fear of been killed or raped.
On his part, President General of Uduophori community, Mr ThankGod Ado, disclosed that the protest was as a result of the yearly and regular attack on their people and the constant presence of the Fulanis both at the community and the community bushes/, forests.
“What prompted this protest today was the recent attack launched on one of our brother whose hand was chopped off by the suspected Fulani herdsmen after he was dragged into the forest.
“We are not happy and we are saying ‘Enough is Enough’ and as peace loving, law abiding citizens, we do not want a situation were the government would sit down and allow herdsmen kill our people with gross impunity.
“Our people can no longer go to their farms as a result of unprovoked incessant attack on the people, raping of our wife’s, sisters, daughters and continuos payment of ransom on those they kidnapped.”
Continuing the community leader, also stated that the Fulani herders often deliberately walk up to cassava farms, and if they owners are there, they are compelled under duress to uproot the cassava and give to their cows to eat.
“Our planted cassava are uprooted and given to their cows to eat, and they can compel you with their guns and machete to uproot your labour for them to feed their cows.
“At time, they would come to the community to burgled petty traders stores and cart away food stuffs. Then at the bushes, once they accosted our people in their farms, they would send their husbands home to go and bring money and before they would return, the women have been raped.
“We say no to these herdsmen and we are calling on the Federal, State and Local Governments to come to our rescue from this terrible people.”
Corroborating the President General stance, Pa Benjamin Obotorino, 85, held that for over 15 years, the community have been under the siege of the Fulani herdsmen as they entered Uduophori with their cows to destroy crops and cause mayhem.
“Their cows no longer eat grass as but feed on our cassava, potatoes, yams and other cash crops, we are tired of their continued killing, raping and maiming of our people.
“They rape our our wives, sisters, daughters and most recently, they now rape men in the forest too and after which they will kill them. We are not happy and we are calling on the government to urgently come to our aid.
“When they kidnapped our women ask us to pay ransom of N80,000 to N100,000 to secure their release and before they will set them free, they are being raped. We cannot continue like this and that is why we are calling for help.”
Women leader of Uduophori community, Mrs London Edith, in tears called for urgent assistance from the government and all other relevant authorities as they and now made strangers in their own land.
An indigene of the community Mr. Henry Emaduku said, In 2023, fulani herdsmen attacked one of our brothers Oghenegare Asadera, and his hand was amputated, and in 2024, they attacked the head teacher of our school in the community and in this 2025, they have now come to attacked Mr Freeborn Akpodiete and amputated his hand after collecting his android phone and unspecified amount of money.
“And as I am speaking with you now, one of our primary school in the community has been taken over by herdsmen, and the school is currently shutdown before this recent attack on our brother and being the chairman of Motorcycle/Keke rider, I am calling on the government to save us from herdsmen continued attack.”