Member representing Yagba Federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Leke Abejide has called on the Federal Government to address incessant attacks on the people of Yagba by herdsmen.
Hon Abejide urged the Inspector General of Police to mop up the security in Yagba and carryout a comprehensive mop up of all arms, ammunition and other weapons in the possession of foreign herders to prohibit public carrying of arms.
Abejide who made this known while moving a motion of public importance expressed concern over the growing insecurity in Yagbaland, a place renowned for its peaceful nature but has tragically devolved into a hotbed of kidnapping and banditry.
He informed the House of the tragic incident on May 7, 2024, where gunmen numbering about 10 invaded Ejiba community in the constituency dressed in black and abducted a prominent businesswoman, Bukky, and a male customer after shooting sporadically, causing panic and fear among the residents.
He attributed the incident to regrettable failure of the relevant authorities to uphold their constitutional mandate of protecting the lives and properties of the constituents, leaving them vulnerable to such incessant attacks, killings, kidnappings, and violations perpetrated by armed groups.
He said comparable violent attacks and kidnappings have been occurring on a weekly basis in the area, including the abduction of one David Joseph as well as the ambush and brutal killing of two persons at Ogbe Community in Yagba West Local Government Area of the State by herdsmen armed with sophisticated weapons.
He said more than 6 persons were kidnapped around Isanlu, and 3 others murdered between Idofin and Isanlu (all in the same LGA of Yagba East) in an attempt to escape from the kidnappers around December 2023 and January 2024.. He alleged that these attacks are perpetrated under the pretext of migration by cattle herders, lots of whom are non Nigerians who infiltrate farms and forests in the area, engaging in kidnapping, killing, raping, and maiming of indigenes.
According to him, these armed groups are not known to the indigenous people of the land, do not live civilized lives, and have adopted a hostile existence completely at variance with the local culture and way of life, creating a divide within the community. He said the people who do not own weapons, now live in fear of the heavily armed men who have forcibly seized their farmlands, causing serious famine due to the inability of the people to go to farm or access their agricultural lands.
He expressed concern about the seeming inability of the security agencies to address the systematic takeover of farmlands belonging to the people of Yagba Federal Constituency, allowing private individuals to carry arms in broad daylight.
