ARMY Must Fish Out Personnel Involved in Herdsmen Killings of 8 in Delta State – Omo-Agege

The spate of killings in Nigerians continue to fester as armed herdsmen, allegedly aided by some Nigerian Army personnel, have killed a total of eight persons in renewed violent attacks on various communities in Uwheru Kingdom, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, Niger Delta region area of Nigeria.

Deputy President of Nigeria’s Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, on Sunday condemned the killings “in strong terms,” urging the Nigerian Army to fish out its personnel alleged to have accompanied the killers to perpetuate the heinous crime.

The Senator also called on the Nigeria Police to immediately bring the suspected herdsmen who carried out the unprovoked attacks to justice.

Senator Omo-Agege said: “I condemn the unprovoked attacks and killing of my constituents and the destruction of their property by suspected herdsmen. The attacks is one too many. I call on security agencies to bring the perpetrators to book by ensuring that they face the wrath of the law. I assure the people of Uwheru Kingdom that this matter will not be swept under the carpet and that the full weight of the law will be brought on those found culpable.”

Sources said that on Thursday night, suspected armed herdsmen, allegedly aided by soldiers, attacked Avwon, Agadama, Ohoror, and other communities of Uwheru Kingdom, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State. The attacks persisted until Saturday.

In addition to the eight killed, the invaders injured several others while destroying properties including farms. Governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, in his reaction, called on residents in the troubled area to remain calm and shun the temptation of embarking on a reprisal attack.

Governor Okowa, who flayed the unwarranted attacks, said he had already directed the State Commissioner of Police and the Brigade Commander, 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Asaba, to as a matter of urgency to ensure that peace was restored to the communities.

In a statement through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, Governor Okowa charged authorities of the Nigerian Army to investigate the alleged involvement of its personnel in the crisis and fish them out.

He appealed to the communities to remain calm and peaceful while security agencies “investigate the root cause of the crisis with a view to bringing the culprits to justice. The unwarranted attacks and killing of innocent locals in Avwon, Agadama and Ohoror communities of Uwheru Kingdom in Ughelli North Local Government Area and the wickedness of suspected criminal herdsmen alleged to be aided and abetted by unidentified military personnel are mindless.

“I, however, appeal to the affected communities to remain calm and peaceful. I commiserate with the communities and families on the unfortunate loss of their loved ones. As a state, our people have been very receptive to herdsmen and other visitors, but our hospitality and welcoming disposition should not be taken as an act of cowardice.

“The State government will continue to encourage peaceful and harmonious relations between Deltans and their visitors, but will not watch outsiders attack and kill our people any longer.”