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Worry over the menace of herdsmen who attack farmers, assault women and destroy farmlands took centre stage at plenary at the Delta State House of Assembly Tuesday, with lawmakers calling on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to quickly swing into action and prevail on the Police Command and other security agencies to ease the state of insecurity caused by the herdsmen.

The call came in a resolution unanimously passed by the lawmakers after a robust debate on the incessant attacks by herdsmen, who have laid siege to farms in parts of the state. They call for the enforcement of the Anti-open Grazing Law of the state.

The resolution was sequel to a motion brought under matters of urgent public importance, sponsored by the Deputy Speaker and Member Representing Ethiope East Constituency in the State Assembly, Rt Hon Arthur Akpowhowho, during Tuesday’s plenary of the House.

The Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon Arthur Akpowhowho in the motion at plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor, said the call became necessary in order to forestall possible breakdown of law and order in the State.

The Deputy Speaker, in the motion, sought the urgent intervention of the State Governor, through the office of the Commissioner of Police in the State, Mr. Wale Abass in addressing the ugly development before it degenerates into serious chaos.

Speaking extensively on the motion, Akpowhowho explained that residents in Abraka community in Ethiope East local Government now dread accessing their farms following the activities of herders who rape, harass and or kill the farmers.

The situation, the Deputy Speaker maintained, was already impacting negatively on the economic lives of the people, adding that the resultant effect of shortage of farm produce is one of the reasons for the astronomical rise in the prices of agricultural produce in the society.

Akpowhowho stated that the relative peace, law and order is being threatened by the ugly development as the youths in the area are already calling for reprisal.

The Deputy Speaker emphasized that to forestall the possible reprisal, there was an urgent need for the Governor, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Wale Abass and other security agencies to act fast.

“The issue of herdsmen harassing, maiming, raping and killing farmers in Delta State is indeed worrisome.

“Also worrisome is the fact that when people are being denied access to their farms, there is bound to be hunger in the land. Therefore, there is the urgent need for government to pay concerted effort in containing this ugly trend”, Akpowhowho stated.

In their contributions some of the lawmakers including; Charles Emetulu, Ndokwa West, Spencer Ohwofa, Ughelli North 11, Oboro Preyor, Bomadi, Bridget Anyafulu, Oshimili South and Matthew Omonde, Ughelli North 1, said the resolution of the House was in line with constitutional provisions of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The lawmakers said the state government must act fast in order to save the State from imminent danger as being perpetuated by herdsmen.

They particularly, asked the executive to ensure the enforcement of the open grazing law as passed by the Delta State House of Assembly.

Describing the motion as apt and timely, the lawmakers were unanimous in their submission that untill something urgent was done, the State would soon begin to suffer acute shortage of agricultural produce as according to them, farmers now dread going to farm as a result of the activities of herdsmen.

The motion which is the first motion passed under matters of urgent public importance by the 8th Assembly was unanimously adopted by the House following a voice vote called by the Speaker,Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor.

The Speaker who expressed concern over the ugly narratives, said the resolution of the House would be communicated accordingly to the appropriate quarters.