Eight people were on Tuesday, April 26 kidnapped by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Obiaruku community, Ukwani local government area of Delta state. The victims were said to be working in a farm when the herdsmen invaded the farm around 6am, according to Vanguard.
The farmers were allegedly held hostage for several hours and thoroughly beaten by the herdsmen. They were later released at about 1pm. A youth leader in the community, Chika Uwabuofu, said the herdsmen had told their victims that they were being brutalised because four of their cows were killed by members of the community.
Uwabuofu said: “For some time now, Fulani herdsmen have been harassing our men and women in their farms, eating the food in their barns and using their cows to destroy their crops. On account of this, we have been reporting their activities to the police and a meeting was held by the council chairman, some top government functionaries and the state chairman of the Fulani herdsmen where they were given three days to leave the community.”
“Truly, they left, but after some days, some women came to report that some Fulani herdsmen were seen with their cows in the community. Then today, they held eight of our men hostage. We are not aware that their cows were killed as they are claiming.”
He urged the government to end the activities of Fulani herdsmen in their community, saying they constituted problems to their only means of livelihood.
Many Nigerians have expressed concerns following attacks carried out by Fulani herdsmen across the country.
Few days ago, Fulani herdsmen invaded Ukpabi Nimbo community in Uzo-Uwani local government area of Enugu state, killing about 40 persons in the process. Various religious and socio-cultural organisations have called on the federal government to end the terror perpetrated by Fulani herdsmen across the country.
Since May 2015, Fulani herdsmen have killed 710 Nigerians excluding the 48 Agatu people in Benue state in the last 10 months, according to the Igbo Youths Movement (IYM).
