The petition written by Ugu Youths For Developmental Change (UYDC) in collaboration with Ugu Solidarity Movement (USM) and signed by Comrade Monday Osemwenkhae, (Coordinator Ugu Youths for Developmental Change ) and Festus Edoigiawerie , President Ugu Solidarity Movement which was addressed to the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon Blessing Agbebaku through the member representing Orhionmwon South in the House of Assembly, Hon Bright Iyamu demanded an immediate ban on open grazing by Fulani herdsmen in Ugu Community.
Speaking, Comrade Monday Osemwenkhae demanded the establishment, increase and legal recognition of local vigilante security network to be coordinated by the police and other security agencies. He also urged government to deploy more security personnel in strategic points around Ugu to forestall future attacks by the herdsmen.
“We, the undersigned, on behalf of the peace loving people of Ugu communities in Orhionmwon
Local Government Area of Edo State, wish to bring to your urgent attention the tragic events of
April 4″, 2025, during which armed Fulani herdsmen invaded our communities in an unprovoked
and violent attack.
This deadly incident has led to loss of innocent lives, destruction of farmlands, theft of farm
produce; families now live in fear and uncertainty.
” This is not the first time such a tragic event has occurred, and the loss of lives is still fresh in our memories. Over the past few years, our people have continuously suffered at the hands of these herdsmen without any lasting solution being
implemented.
“Our Grievances:
The continued and unchecked grazing of cattle by Fulani herdsmen in our farmlands has led to numerous conflicts, destructions of property .
.
“The use of dangerous weapons by herders, including guns and machetes, against local farmers
poses a serious security threat and has directly resulted in deaths and
injuries. The lack of visible and sustained security presence in our communities has left us vulnerable to future attacks.”
The petitioners lamented that government’s inaction or slow response in previous cases has emboldened these attackers.
Responding , Member, representing Orhionmwon South Constituency, Hon Bright Iyamu, said the problem ofinsecurity is not a problem of Ugu Community alone, but a problem that cuts across Edo State . He said that he will soon hold a Town Hall meeting that will involve security agencies and youths in Orhionmwon that will help articulate the best way to handle the problem of herdesmen attacks in the local government area.
“I have been thinking about how to go about this problem, because the killing of our people is becoming unbearable and as law abiding citizens we are not expected to take laws into our hands. We have able bodied men in Orhionmwon who can come out and say no, but we are still waiting for the appropriate authority saddled with the responsibility to protect lives and property of people of Edo State to come to the aid of our people.
“I can categorical tell you that I am not happy seeing our people slaughtered everyday and nothing is done about it. The Executive Governor of Edo State , Senator Monday Okpebholo is trying to take agriculture to the next level, but how will this happen, when our people can no longer go to farm? Our mothers are all afraid, because when they go to farm, they may be raped, or some other things may happen to them.
“You are not the only group that has brought something like this before, even from other local government areas . Petitions have been taken to the House and we have raised resolutions on how best to tackle the problem, but it seems the problem of Fulani herdsmen is bigger than the State. It is a federal issue. When the problem started, it was not taken seriously, but today, I can tell you that it has gotten out of hand.
“Those of us from Orhionmwon should look for a means to protect our people, I will soon be calling for a Town Hall meeting, I want us to sit together and plan on what we are going to do, so that the necessary things can be put in place to stop these unprovoked attacks from those people.
“But whatever, we are going to do, we are not going to do it by the means of illegality. Whatever I am going to do, the security agencies are going to be carried along, from the State Command to the DPO of various divisions in Orhionmwon everybody will be carried along.”
