Following the attack on Uwheru communities in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State by suspected herdsmen, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has vowed to bring the perpetrators of the dastardly act to book.
Okowa commended the Nigerian Army and the Police for their prompt intervention in the clash between the herdsmen and Uwheru communities.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, the governor expressed gratitude for the peace that had been restored to the communities through the instrumentality of the security agencies.
While calling in the security agencies to fish out the perpetrators, Okowa said said he was saddened by reports of persons, including security agents, feared to have lost their lives.
Okowa restated the confidence of the state government in the security agencies to rise to security challenges in the state.
He thanked the army authorities for the sustained support to the state in providing security and protecting public facilities across the state.
The governor called on the communities affected in the crisis to maintain the peace that had been restored, assuring that the security agents would investigate the cause of the clash and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Also reacting to the herdsmen attack on Uwheru Communities, the member representing Ughelli North/South/ Udu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Francis Waive, appealed to the affected communities to remain calm.
He said he is in touch with relevant authorities on behalf of his people, condemning in strongest terms the attack on Uwheru people by the suspected herdsmen.
In a statement made available to BusinessDay, Waive said, “When reports of the onslaught reached me from Community Leaders and party faithfuls, I immediately got in touch with Heads of Security Agencies including the Commander 222 Battalion of the Nigerian Army especially with allegations of involvement of the military on the side of the herdsmen.
“It is sad that valuable lives and property, including farms, had been lost. I call on our people to remain calm while we continue dialogue with the authorities to ensure lasting peace, as we will ensure no more lives are lost and this perennial menace is brought to an end.”
According to reports from the communities, herdsmen accompanied by unidentified army personnel had stormed the communities in an unprovoked attack that has become an annual routine, killed no fewer than eight persons and injured many others.
The reports revealed that the crisis started on Thursday and that as at Saturday, lives and property, including farms, had been lost.
