_Tension in Delta Communities as Suspected Herders Kill Two Farmers_
Tension gripped Umunede and Mbiri communities in Ika North-East Local Government Area of Delta State on Wednesday, following the killing of two farmers by suspected herders. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, sparked a reprisal attack on the Hausa community settlement in Umunede.
According to eyewitnesses, the two farmers were shot dead along the farm road in Idumu-Ikeze Quarters and Mbiri farm settlement road. The victims were reportedly laborers working on a farm in the area.
A source, who pleaded anonymity, revealed that the herdsmen had been terrorizing the area for a long time. “One of the farmers was going to check his cassava plantation when he met the suspected herdsmen,” the source said.
The source further stated that after the herdsmen killed the two farmers, youths from Mbiri community chased them to their settlement in Umunede. The angry youths then invaded the Hausa community settlement, setting camps and motorcycles ablaze.
The incident occurred around 10 pm on Tuesday, with the youths destroying properties and burning about four motorcycles. The source expressed fear of a possible attack, stating that the community had been facing similar incidents for over two years.
“We are no longer going to farm over fear of being killed,” the source said. “No week goes by that these deadly herdsmen will not kill a farmer in any of the communities in Ika land.”
The Police Public Relations Officer in Delta State, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the killing of the two farmers. However, he stated that the perpetrators were unknown, but the community claimed it was the Hausa people.
Edafe added that the community then went after the Hausa people, leading to the destruction of properties and burning of motorcycles. He assured that calm had been restored in the two communities.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of farmers in the area and the need for increased security measures to prevent such attacks. The Delta State Government has been called upon to take urgent action to address the issue.
As the investigation into the incident continues, residents of Umunede and Mbiri communities remain on edge, fearing further attacks. The incident has highlighted the need for peaceful coexistence and conflict resolution mechanisms to prevent such incidents in the future.
