…..Challenge Him To Show Sense Of Leadership
Following his weaknesses and inability to take a decisive stand on the ravaging and incessant killings, maiming, raping, and arm robbery in Delta state, the Delta Online Publishers Forum (DOPF), has taken a swipe at governor Ifeanyi Okowa with a task to ensure that the protection of lives and properties of her citizens remain the number one priority of his administration’s agenda at all times.
The group while also challenging governor Okowa to show some sense of leadership quality, frowned at what it called frequency of mindless killings by suspected Fulani Herdsmen of farmers in the state, whose only offence was going about their lawful business, noting that their actions has become worrisome and needs urgent intervention by the government.
The Online publisher, commended the actions taken by the government of Ekiti and Benue states respectively, in response to the herdsmen menace, which yielded positive results, advising the governor to consider the same option taken by his counterparts in Ekiti and Benue states, which were bold steps to protect their farmers from Herdsmen attack.
The group in a statement shortly after its meeting in Kwale, Ndokwa West local government area of Delta state, signed by its chairman, Mr. Emmanuel Enebeli and Secretary, Mr. Shedrack Onitsha, tasked the Okowa led administration to as a matter of urgency and importance address the security situation in the affected areas as the seemingly unchecked activities of these herdsmen was already affecting the social and economic lives of the people and state.
The group described the insecurity situation in Ethiope East, Ndokwa East and Ughelli North as alarming following the criminal activities of Fulani herdsmen and the cases of communal crises resulting from land disputes in Ukwuani and Udu Local Government Areas respectively.
The group, noted that Deltans, particularly farmers are been harassed, brutalized, terrorized, maimed and traumatized on a daily basis by the ravaging herdsmen adding that it appears there is conspiracy of silence from the security agencies who have failed to act decisively to check the activities of these criminals posing as herdsmen.
The group however condemned in strong terms, the open dereliction of duty by the security agencies in the state, in failing to stop the cold blooded killings of unarmed Deltans, but are quick to react should the villagers protest against the killings by the Fulani herdsmen.
The group therefore, called on governor Okowa to rise up to the occasion of protecting the lives of her citizens, adding that all necessary actions that will give the people the sense of belonging need to be taken urgently.
“It seems that someone is acting out a script, because the helplessness of the security agencies, particularly the Police and the Army to bring to book those behind the killings of farmers in Ethiope East, Ndokwa East, Ughelli North and, other places is inexcusable. The Governor as the Chief Security Officer of the State, his primary responsibility is to ensure that Deltans are secured.
“We therefore call on the Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, who is the chief security officer of the state, to rise up and tackle the barrage of security challenges that have made Deltans to now sleep with one eye open. The primary responsibility of any government is the protection of lives and properties of citizens, and Deltans expect nothing less from Governor Okowa and unless the government acts now, Deltans may be left with no other option, but to resort to self help.
“The best the government can give to Deltans as she marks second year in office is to show that the state government is on top of the situation by exhibiting firm, decisive leadership, as most high profile kidnapping and killings are traced to the herdsmen. We believe that the state governor can show leadership by according the herdsmen killings in Delta the seriousness it deserves, since it has been proven that most of the high profile kidnap in the state are carried by these herdsmen” the statement stated.
