ASABA/Nigeria: Executive Assistant to His Excellency the Governor of Delta State on Communications, Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe has said that the good people of Delta State are willing and ready to avoid eating cow meat, if that singular action would stop criminal activities and brutal killings by Fulani Herdsmen in the state.
The Governor’s Executive Aide in a statement made available to newsmen in Asaba on Tuesday 6th February 2018, disclosed that the state government has taken proactive steps to deal with the criminal activities of Fulani Herdsmen through executive orders empowering all the 25 local government councils chairmen to within one week constitute and inaugurate security taskforce in their geographical and administrative jurisdictions, involving stakeholders to compliment the efforts of security agencies.
“Secretary to Delta State Government (SSG), Rt. Hon Festus Ovie Agas is the Chairman, Coordinating Committee and shall work closely with Council Chairmen and security agencies to checkmate and deal with the vexed issue of unlawful killings and barbaric attitude of some Herdsmen in the State.
“His Excellency the Governor of Delta State on Tuesday 6th January held an enlarged meeting with stakeholders; representatives of Fulani Herdsmen, Myeti Allah, heads of security agencies, traditional rulers and senior government officials to brainstorm and proffer solutions to the lingering criminal activities of Herdsmen parading assault riffles, submachine guns and other categories of dangerous weapons with which they commit heinous crimes in the state
“Majority of those who spoke at the meeting said; it is the general consensus of Deltans to stop eating cow meat in the state should the Fulani Herdsmen fail to conduct themselves as responsible law abiding Nigerians and peaceful business people.
“There are several sources of protein which makes it very easy for Deltans to avoid cow meat for as long as it takes, because our people cannot forcefully give their precious lives for cattle and or cow meat. Our lives are much more valuable than cattle. As a matter of fact, many Deltans no longer eat cow meat.
“In the same vein, the Governor declared that the state do not have free land for the establishment of cattle colony and urged the federal government to adhere strictly to constitutional provisions which frawns at the unlawful dispossession of another’s property not related to matter of urgent public interest. The Herdsmen are businessmen and must do business within acceptable moral and legal standards, going forward.
“We shall resist any attempt by Fulani Herdsmen or Boko Haram disguising as Herdsmen to snuff life from citizens. We can exist and live perfectly well without cow meat. If the need arises, we shall ask our lawmakers to commence the process of enacting laws prohibiting the consumption of cow meat in Delta State. Enough is Enough,” Oghenesivbe said.
