N/Delta group condemns killing in Rivers

The Niger Delta Youths Coalition (NDYC) on Thursday condemned the dastardly killing in Ohali-Elu town in Rivers State allegedly perpetrated by Fulani herdsmen.

The organisation also called on Ms Ankio Briggs to hurriedly lead a protest to condemn the attack.

The herdsmen who were in the midst of the indigenes of the town were said to have unleashed terror on the people following clash over grazing land in the community, an action which left a pastor and 20 others dead.

Ankio Briggs, an indigene of the state, had earlier criticized the Bayelsa State Government over its decision to create a grazing reserve for the Fulani herdsmen in the state as a logical step to nip in the bud such rampant clashes between herdsmen and the locals across the country.

But the group in a statement issued on Thursday by its spokesman, Matthew Fobiri, said it must be clear to Briggs by now that the decision of the Bayelsa State Government to restrict the herdsmen to the palm area in the state was to avoid the kind of killings which took place in Ohali-Elu in Rivers State.

He said, “In the light of the terrible fate that has befallen the Rivers community with many deaths recorded in just one attack”, Ankio Briggs owed the Bayelsa State government an apology for kicking against a proactive measure put in place to check any form of security breach that may lead to loss of lives as was the case in Rivers.

The group opined that the action of Bayelsa State Government must be commended and called on the Rivers State Government to adopt same so as to forestall recurrence and pre-empt herdsmen/farmers’ clashes as seen in many other states including that of neighbouring Delta State “where people have been killed by Fulani herdsmen in the last couple of months”.

“Interestingly and in true reflection of the wisdom behind the step by the Bayelsa State Government, its decision to create a reserved grazing area for herdsmen, contrary to Ms AnkioBriggs’ insensitive criticisms, has been well applauded by well meaning Nigerians across different socio-cultural strata. It’s clearly a responsible decision by a responsible leadership”, it stated.