Calm Returns to Delta Community Aftermaths of Fear of Fulani Herdsmen Attack.
By Rufus Oseji
Ebedei: Calm has finally returned to Ebedei community in Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State, following the fear recently exhibited of an eminent Fulani herdsmen attack on the community, which caused the villagers, especially women and children to run for safety to neighbouring communities.
Ndokwa Reporters learnt problem started on evening of Sunday 9 April, 2017, at about 6pm when some children from Adonishaka quarter of the town went to the Ethiope River which runs through the community, were attacked, with one of them badly injured.
Narrating the incident to Ndokwa Reporters, the Special Assistant to the state governor on Special Duties, Hon Humphrey Uzuakpondu, said that the children escaped to the town and raised alarm of the incident.
Further investigation revealed that the youths of Ebedei mobilized to confront the herdsmen, who on sighting them responded by shooting into the air, this prompted the fear of possible attack on the community by the armed bearing herdsmen.
According to sources, to forestall any possible attack, the police were called in, who after patrolling the area, assured the community of their safety.
However, not to be taking by any surprise attack in the night, the community ordered the youths to remove the bridge that links the settled area to Udaba ( across the river), where the Fulani herdsmen had over the years settled without harassment from the Ebedei community to avert a surprise attack on the community in the night.
A cross section of the people interviewed by Ndokwa Reporters called on the federal and state governments to find permanent solution to the issue of the Fulani herdsmen, who had been terrorizing the community.
According to them, apart from the animals destroying the crops, the herdsmen physically harvest the crops to feed their animals.
The people had also demanded from the local government chairman to draft security men to the community to forestall any surprise attack.
For now, the people of Ebedei who use the lands across the river, says the fear of been attacked and killed by the herdsmen is high, and thus they had abandoned their farms for the meantime.
The state police command, though the Police Public Relation Officer, (PPRO) told this reporter that the police is doing all it can to secure lives and properties in the area, and advice the people to go about their normal duties.
