By Andrew Unutame
Residents of Oviri Olomu in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State have raised alarm over persistent attacks and harassment by suspected herdsmen, which they say have crippled farming and endangered lives in the community.
During a peaceful protest to the Ughelli Area Command, community leaders urged government authorities to take urgent action to address the worsening insecurity.
Community spokesperson, Ester Monday, said farming activities have been grounded due to the herdsmen’s alleged destruction of crops, sexual assaults, and threats to residents.
“We are crying to the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to hear our pain and come to our rescue. Our husbands can no longer go to the farm, and our girls are being raped. We do not want what happened in Abraka and other places to happen here,” she said.
The immediate past Secretary General of the community, Austine Etata, said repeated appeals to the local government chairman and security agencies have yielded no results.
“Oviri Olomu has become a den of kidnapping and all sorts of social vices. We are law-abiding citizens and we respect the anti-open grazing law passed by the Delta State House of Assembly. So why are herdsmen still allowed to operate freely in our land?” he queried.
Etata disclosed that two days ago, women in the community threatened to leave with their children if the attacks persist.
“We are giving the government a seven-day ultimatum to ensure these herdsmen leave Oviri Olomu. We are capable of defending ourselves, but we want peace. Two wrongs cannot make a right,” he added.
Vice President General of the community, Emmanuel George, lamented the destruction of farmlands and the brazen intimidation by the herdsmen.
“If you confront them, they threaten to kill. Our people are angry and tired. We want the government to act fast before things get out of hand,” he said.
At the Ughelli Area Command, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ughelli ‘A’ Division informed the protesters that the Area Commander was unavailable but promised to invite the herdsmen’s leaders, identified as Mr. Garuba and Suleman, for a peace meeting with community representatives.
The Oviri Olomu community now awaits swift intervention from the Delta State government and security agencies, hoping for the restoration of peace and a return to their livelihoods without fear.
