Fulani Herdsmen Killings/Security: Majemite Dissolves Abraka Vigilante

By Daniel Dafe

The Executive Chairman, Ethiope East Local Government Area, Chief (Mrs.) Faith Majemite, has dissolved the vigilante formation in Oruarivie-Abraka Kingdom.

Majemite disclosed this to Oasis Magazine (OM) during a phone conversation, while responding to questions on the security situation in Abraka and other related issues.

The council boss added: “Another one will be setup because the ones on ground now are not efficient in their work.  The governor bought motorcycles for them and empowered them, but they seem to be very lazy. We cannot tolerate it. Look at the way people are been killed in the bush.”

On if the decision could be reversed since feelers from the community showed that leaders in the area think the timing is not appropriate to dissolve the vigilante, she said: “It will not be reversed. We are going to put in quality persons. Government is not like that. When people are not efficient, you do away with them and put a new team.

“If mobile policemen were withdrawn from the bush, what of our vigilante members who are indigenes? I believe what I did is right.”

The council Chairman gave the total number of those killed recently by herdsmen as six, adding that while four of these were deltans, the other two are from Edo State, though resident around the bush area since the desert belongs to both Edo and Delta States.

According to her, a unit of mobile policemen will be brought to the troubled points in and around the bush to secure the roads and protect the farmers.

She said: “Then, we also need the local vigilantes there too to be given us information about what is happening in that area. A formidable vigilante will be set up that knows why they are there and able to deal with issues. They are closer to the people.

“If you notice, we now have robbery these days and breaking and entering in the university town. In fact the vigilante is not effective. We need peace and our people should be able to sleep with their eyes closed.”