A reprisal attack was last night launched on Fulani herdsmen in Osisa community, in Ndokwa-East Local Government Area of Delta state by some alleged cmmunity members.
The incident occurred hours after some residents held Mr Festus Ovie Agas, Secretary to Delta Government, hostage over alleged killing of their kinsmen by herdsmen.
Confirming the development to ALECLUCKYNEWS, Secretary of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, Mukhtar Usman, said there was indeed a conflict between some Fulanis and Osisa locals on Saturday.
Usman in a telephone chat Tuesday afternoon, however, denied that members of the association killed anyone.
“The news is not true. Our members did not take the life of any resident.”
Usman, who is also an aide to the Governor on non-indigenes, said “What really happened was that at about 1pm on Saturday, the Police DPO of Ashaka called me that there was a fracas in Osisa in which some persons were injured.
“He told me that he had already mobilized three patrol teams to the scene. But by the time the officers got there, the residents blocked them.
“They got defensive and said the policemen would not be allowed to take any of our injured members to the hospital.”
Usman told our correspondent that as the situation was getting tensed, the team took cover at a nearby post and called for reinforcement.
“Eventually, they were able to rescue the Fulanis and took them to a medical centre at Ashaka at about 7:30 in the night, from where I took them to Federal Medical Centre in Asaba.
“On Sunday, the commissioner of police contacted me for an update which I did.
I then informed the Fulanis to vacate the area pending our meeting with Osisa community leaders scheduled for tomorrow (Wednesday).
“But last (Monday) night, we got reports that Osisa people launched what looked like a planned attack on Fulanis across the community.
“As I speak, some are in serious conditions, while cattle are missing. I told our members not to react but leave Osita. I quickly called Police Deputy Commissioner (Operations) and the Area Commander.
“They have sent police teams to Osisa to look for the cattle. That is the situation at the moment. We are appealing for calm as we hope to douse the tension events of the last few days has caused.”
Speaking with ALEXLUCKYNEWS on phone, the acting Police Public Relations Officer, PPPO, DSP Andrew Animaka dismissed the claim, saying
“Osisa is calm and quiet.”
Animaka said, “There is no reprisal attack in Osisa, the place is calm and quiet, though there was a protest yesterday by a few women from the community and alleged impunity by Fulani herdsmen. The police and some stakeholders responded immediately, addressing the aggrieved protesters.
“While addressing the women, it was agreed that both the police, leaders of the community and all relevant stakeholders will meet next week Wednesday with the aim of finding a lasting solution to the situation.”
Animaka also disclosed that an incidence was recorded on Saturday between a Fulani herdsman and a member of the community but was not life threatening.
“We, police, heard on Saturday that there was a little hitch between Fulani herdsman and a community member which led to injuries but it was not life threatening,” he added.
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