Herdsmen: Youths Task LG Chair On Security, Open Grazing.

Hon Possible Ajede, Ukwuani LGA Chairman

Renowned youth group, Anioma Youth Forum Worldwide AYFW has raised alarm over the state of security and activities of criminal herders in Ukwuani Local Government Area, which has forced farmers out of their farmlands for fear of being attacked, raped, maimed or killed.

AYF-W with Comrade Nnamdi Ofonye as its National President, made this call through Ukwuani LGA Leaders and Stakeholders of the group.

In a release signed on behalf of the stakeholders by the National Publicity Secretary; Comr Ekwukwo Elvis and Ukwuani LGA Ag Coordinator; Comrade Charles Njuwe respectively, the group expressed its worry at the heightened state of insecurity to the Executive Chairman of the LGA, Hon (Barr) Possible Ajede.

Come Elvis Ekwukwo, National Publicity Secretary AYF-W

The release reads in part

"As a group, we have followed with great concern and utter displeasure the activities of these criminal herders expressed through kidnapping, maiming, harassment, raping and destruction of crops and for us, this is alarming and discomforting to our people.

And to have watched the seemingly lack of appropriate action from the State Government to immediately get these criminals out of our farmlands call for serious concern from all well meaning persons especially after being a signatory to the notable Asaba declaration.

Comr Charles Njuwe; Ag Coordinator AYF-W, Ukwuani LGA.

Recall that as a fall out of Southern Governors meeting in Asaba where a number of issues were addressed including ban on open grazing and cattle Transportation by foot, we had through a press release "called strongly on Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to put in place all measures that will enforce to the letters the ban on open grazing in the overall interest of our people which will address the looming food shortage and hunger heightened through massive abandonment of farms by farmers for fear of being attacked."

While we are aware of a bill sent to the Delta State House of Assembly, we want expedition of actions on the Anti Open grazing Law while once again through this medium calling on, His Excellency, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and Executive Chairman, Ukwuani local Government Area, Barr. Possible Ajede to as a matter of urgent public appeal come to the rescue of Obiaruku and it's environs by deploying every machinery of government and save our people from further attacks by criminal herders to enable them return back to their various farms and avoid hunger induced by the abandonment of their farms, their only means of earning a living.

In particular, AYF-W calls on all security agencies in the State to up their games. While we appreciate the the heightened presence of security men in Asaba and other towns in Delta state, security strategies must be drawn up to also protect those in the villages/rural communities to avoid a breakdown of law and order in those communities who might be forced to taking laws into their hands through self help which will spell doom and result in bloodbath

Finally, AYF-W reiterates its unwaivering and unflinching commitment to collaborating with government at all levels and relevant security agencies as we place the welfare and safety of Ndi Anioma as top priority.