Banner Online News

Olorogun Moses Taiga, UPU President General.

President Muhammadu Buhari has been called upon to take urgent measures to stop the heinous activities of killer Fulani herdsmen in Urhoboland.

This is part of the demands of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) when the socio-political umbrella group of all urhobos paid a solidarity visit to Uwheru Kingdom over the attacks and killings in Agadama, Avwon and Okugbe communities by suspected Fulani herdsmen on February 13, 14th and 15th, 2020.

President General of UPU, Olorogun (Dr.) Moses Taiga while expressing the disgust of the entire Urhobo nation against the attacks and brutal killings said: “The Federal Government, led by President Muhammadu Buhari, must muster the moral, political and constitutional will in stopping the heinous activities of killer herdsmen in Urhoboland. The menace is a huge obstacle to the peace, unity and sovereignty of the Nigerian Nation. The Urhobo People are law-abiding, but our patience is fast waning. It is the duty of the Federal Government of Nigeria to protect the lives and properties of every citizen of this great Nation. Mr. President must act now, lest anarchy reigns.

“It is so heart-rending that these senseless massacre of defenseless citizens of the Urhobo Nation by suspected Fulani herdsmen took place without provocation, and while our sons were legitimately engaged on their farmlands, for food and day-to-day living. This is highly condemnable. Our ancestral lands, farms, forests and agricultural resources must be free from these hostile and vicious herdsmen. The continued presence of these killer herdsmen greatly hamper the productivity and profitability of our people and farmlands. The consequences of these on the peace, social cohesion, market stability, local economic survival and food security of the Urhobo Nation are negative and beyond comprehension.”

Taiga continued; “The lethal attacks and killings of our people by Fulani herdsmen in Uwheru and other communities in Urhoboland will no longer be tolerated. There shall be no room for foreign invaders in Urhoboland. The Urhobo Nation will never, ever surrender or cede an inch of her territory to any stranger. Enough is enough! These suspected killer Fulani herdsmen must be stopped.
“The UPU demands justice for the victims of these herdsmen killings. Those responsible for the killing of our people at Agadama, Avwon, Ohoro, Oreba and Okugbe Communities must not go unpunished. Impunity does not have a place in the Laws of Nigeria, Delta State and our Communities. The Law must take its full course. The Federal Government, led by President Muhammadu Buhari, must muster the moral, political and constitutional will in stopping the heinous activities of killer herdsmen in Urhoboland. The menace is a huge obstacle to the peace, unity and sovereignty of the Nigerian Nation. The Urhobo People are law-abiding, but our patience is fast waning. It is the duty of the Federal Government of Nigeria to protect the lives and properties of every citizen of this great Nation. Mr. President must act now, lest anarchy reigns.”

In making other demands, Olorogun Taiga said: “The UPU, and indeed the entire Urhobo Nation, firmly agree and stand by the Resolutions of Uwheru Development Union (UDU) during its emergency meeting held on Saturday, February 22, 2020, particularly:

1. “That the killer Herdsmen MUST LEAVE the length and breadth of Uwheru Kingdom immediately.

2. “That the Delta State House of Assembly revisit and enact the anti-grazing law without delay.

3. “That the military (Army in particular) and other security agencies must remain neutral and protect the lives of our people over unprovoked attacks.

4. “That the Federal Government through her relevant agencies come to the aid of the victims of the dastardly attack,” among others.

We believe the declarations and proclamations from that emergency meeting are a step in the right direction in, not only nipping this menace in the bud, but in boldly and practically expressing to the world how grievous and sacrilegious these terrible acts by suspected Fulani herdsmen have become.

The UPU also demands that these killer herdsmen immediately leave Uwheru Kingdom, and the entire Urhobo land. We also call for a permanent presence of the Military in Uwheru to prevent a reoccurrence of this sad situation. The UPU also joins the call on the Delta State Government and State House of Assembly to revisit and enact an Anti-Grazing Law.

In all of these, it is our hope that none of our people has actually participated in the sale and disposal of Urhobo lands to criminal non-natives. No Urhobo land should be mortgaged for a pot of porridge to the detriment of the community and people. We urge all Urhobo Kingdoms and Communities to take legal steps in revoking the sale and ownership of such land or property identified in their domains.

Let me here thank His Excellency, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta State, for his supportive role, prompt intervention during the period of the killings and for giving us hope of a permanent end to this deadly saga.

The UPU also thanks His Excellency, Senator (Obarisi) Ovie Omo-Agege, Deputy President of the Senate, for his relentless push to ensure our people are protected constitutionally. We are glad at his call on security agents to bring the culprits to book and his visit to the people.”