Senate condemns killings by suspected herdsmen in Delta

By Ezrel Tabiowo
Abuja

Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, yesterday condemned the alleged killings and waste of lives and property by suspected herdsmen across the country.
Ekweremadu, who presided over Wednesday’s plenary said that governments at the local, states and federal levels, as well as security agencies, must wake up to their responsibilities to nip the problem in the bud.

The Deputy Senate stated this in a remark sequel to a point of Order raised by Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, titled: “Need for urgent National Security intervention to stop the gruesome killing of Urhobos and other Nigerians in Delta Central Senatorial District and other parts of the nation by terrorist elements masquerading as herdsmen in rural communities, forests and farms”.

Earlier in his presentation Senator Ovie A. Omo-Agege said that the “ Senate notes that historically, rural dwellers in Urhoboland and other parts of this country have always lived in peace and harmony with themselves and citizens from other parts of this beautiful country, including traditional herdsmen who are never armed with sophisticated war weapons and who go about their herding activities peacefully.
“Worried that against the letters and spirit of our Constitution and without regards for the sanctity of human life and any justification whatsoever, Urhobos and indeed other Nigerians, are being gruesomely and extra-judicially killed in rural communities, forests, and farms by terrorist elements and hardened criminals who are armed with sophisticated war weapons and who masquerade as herdsmen.

“Condemns the recent brutal killing of a young, vibrant, and popular youth leader, Solomon Ejoh, by terrorist elements/hardened criminals operating under the cover of herdsmen in Ovre-Abraka, Ethiope East Local Government of Delta State.
“Worried  that the cruel killing of Mr. Solomon Ejoh is a sensitive incident that has generated real and pervasive anger and tensions in parts of the Niger Delta region and now tremendously challenging responsible leaders and institutions to manage the sensitive situation with utmost wisdom to avert a major national security crisis erupting again from the Niger-Delta region.

“Concerned that our people are losing confidence in our National Security machinery for appearing not to have a convincing proactive strategy to deal decisively and satisfactorily with terrorist elements masquerading as herdsmen whose modus operandus is to threaten our national security, peace and cohesion by wantonly and brazenly attacking rural communities, ransacking farms, raping women and children, killing people, and destroying property – an intolerable and worrisome situation that is capable of breeding self-help measures for survival, with dangerous consequences that can fundamentally destabilize our dear Nation.

“Disturbed that there is a mismatch between the consistent oral assurances by our national security agencies, more particularly the Nigerian Police Force, of their capacity and readiness to deal decisively with and arrest internal national security threats, notably the brazen killing of our people by terrorist herdsmen.
“Affirms that: as enshrined in Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1990 (as amended) on the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy, the primary purpose of government is and remains “the security and welfare of the people”;

“Section 4(2) of the Constitution vests the National Assembly with legislative powers ”to make laws for the peace, order and good government of the Federation”, and this Senate has a bounden duty to ensure conformance with the provisions of the Constitution and laws made by the National Assembly; and “the Senate cannot watch idly where national security agencies fail to protect the lives and property of our citizens as enunciated in and mandated by our Constitution and laws enacted by the National Assembly.”

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