Iyede community protest fulani herdsmen attack

by

Kelvin Ohoror and Gabriel Oweife

The people of Iyede community in Isoko North Local Government Area, Delta State barricade the Ughelli/Asaba Express Road by Ekuigbo-Iyede junction for several hours in protest against Fulani herdsmen for killing their people, raping their women and destroying their economic plants on the 16 August 2017.

Speaking to newsmen the President General of Isoko Development Union (IDU) High Chief Iduh Amadhe who rush back from Asaba to the scene of protest asserted that, he received information that one of the busiest road by Ekiugbo-Iyede junction is blocked in protest against Fulani herdsmen attack.

According to him “ the information is that the Fulani herdsmen has been terrorizing Iyede community, raping their women in the farm, and destroying their economic plants and this has caused economic hardship to our people, noting that, nobody will hear something like that and will not take action”.

IYEDE PROTEST

High Chief Iduh Amadhe further stated that, I have come on behalf of Isoko Nation to appeal to the people of Iyede community that peace should rain and whatever grievances they have we will take it to the state government, stating that, Iyede community is not the only place this menace of Fulani herdsmen has happen, it has happened in Enhwe, Igbide, Olomoro, Ofagbe and Aradhe community and this is worrisome to our people.

He also noted that a situation where cows will come to somebody land and begin to destroy the economic trees or crops is not a healthy development, we are taking the issue to the state governor with security agents so that they can handle it permanently and not to repeat itself.

The IDU president also said that, the leaders of the community had informed him that, they have reported the menace of the Fulani herdsmen to the state government severally, but no action has been taken. But now, they believe that the level it has gone to they will definitely get government to take action so that total peace can return to Iyede community.

Also speaking to imirror, the chairman of Ekiugbo-Iyede community Pastor David Onobreme stated that, the Fulani herdsmen has been terrorizing the community and they have written several petition to the state government including all the security agencies but no action was taken.

Pastor Onobreme also noted that, it has come to the climax that their people can no longer go to farm. So, they resolved to draw the attention of the state government through this protest to come and see what is happening to Iyede community.

He further asserted that, “the Fulani Herdsmen used their cows to destroy our cassava farm and anybody that challenge them, they either machete the person or killed the person and also raped the women as a result our people can no longer go to farm. And this has been happening for the past five years and we have been taking it diplomatically until today.

Also speaking, the vice chairman of Isoko North Local Government Area, Hon. Anthony Odhe who represented the Isoko North Chairman, Hon. Emmanuel Egbabor stated that, the resolution they have reached is the way forward, the different clans that make-up the Iyede community we are going to have a meeting and deliberate, and invite the herdsmen just like what they did in Aradhe community, get in touch with the governor, the commissioner of police, other security agencies and also the owners of the cows.

Hon. Odhe also noted that, the Isoko North Local Government  did not received any information regards to this issue, it is possible they have written to the state government, because there is no way they will see such letter and fold their hands.Noting that, now that all is aware, The good thing is that, now we are aware, all hand will be on deck to resolve the issue amicably and restore peace to Iyede community.