UDUAGHAN SUMMONS SECURITY MEETING OVER FULANI INVASION IN DELTA

Massive infiltration of Fulani herdsmen into some communities in Delta State in the past two weeks has caused stir in the state, forcing the state government to summon an enlarged security council meeting yesterday in Warri.
The meeting, which was held at Government House Annexe, Warri, had in attendance all the security chiefs, including the comptroller of customs, comptroller of immigration, Commander of Nigerian Civil Defence Corps and Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC).
Also in attendance were traditional rulers, leaders of the cattle sellers association and religious leaders, as well as community youth leaders.
Addressing the opening session, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan said the meeting became necessary because of the massive influx of Fulani herdsmen into the state, noting that government would not wait until they start causing havoc in the state.
Uduaghan recalled that two weeks ago, two trailer loads of strange elements, apparently referring to Fulani herdsmen, came into the state and were sighted at Elume community, where they alighted and entered into different directions in the bush.
He said villagers who sighted the Fulani herdsmen alerted him and he informed the Commander of 4th Brigade of the Nigerian Army, who in turn sent his men after the invaders.
Although, he did not give details of the outcome of the search, it would be recalled that the police in the state also had an encounter with the Fulani herdsmen in Ethiope West Local Government Area last week.
The police, who were alerted about activities of the herdsmen went after them but were prevented access with their cattle and when that did not work, they brought out their sophisticated weapons to confront the security men.
Daily Newswatch recalled that at the end of the encounter, a large cache of arms and ammunitions, including several AK 47 rifles, were recovered from the bush where the herdsmen habited.
Uduaghan noted that Deltans accommodate visitors but would not wait for anybody or group to come and chase them out of their homes, stressing that the meeting was to marshal strategies to prevent unpleasant situation.
He noted that activities of Fulani herdsmen had become a national issue but that the state government would not wait until they start causing harm before taking action, adding “We have to deal with the situation because when it happens, it will wipe out everybody. They will not distinguish whether you are a Christian, Muslim, adult, youth or children.”
Uduaghan charged the traditional rulers, in particular and resident herdsmen, who had been in the state for years and had been part of the people of the state, to henceforth immediately report any strange movement, group of people to the government and security agents for prompt action.
He disclosed that Deltans would not tolerate any insecurity in the state, stressing “We will not accept people coming into our state to drive us away from our homes.”
Addressing journalists at the end of the meeting, Uduaghan disclosed that committees would be set up to check the influx of Fulani herdsmen into the state, as well as monitor movement of cattle to prevent clashes with the natives.
Source: Daily Newswatch