Social and economic activities were on Tuesday disrupted for several hours in Asaba as thousands of people took to the streets protesting the growing involvement of Fulani herdsmen in criminal activities in Delta State.
The protesters – made up of men, women and youths – took over the strategic Summit Junction and barricaded both ends of the Benin-Asaba-Onitsha expressway, halting vehicular movement on the expressway and into Asaba central business area.
The protesters wielded banners and placards with various inscriptions, forcing commuters to make detour into Asaba metropolis to get their destinations by avoiding the blockade on the expressway and the Summit Junction.
Most motorists, particularly heavy duty vehicles were however stuck at the spot until the protesters dispatched at about 2.30pm after Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State was said to have sent emissaries to placate the aggrieved local security forces.
THISDAY gathered that the massive protest was organized by a coalition of local security bodies drawn from across Delta State.
The coalition is mainly made up of Anioma Security Watch, Delta South Security Network and Urhobo Security Network,alleging that the “government has failed in its primary responsibility of protecting lives by allowing herdsmen to be killing innocent and law-abiding citizens.
They claimed that they were protesting because of the illegal activities of Fulani herdsmen across various communities in the state as well as the seeming failure of the state government to take decisive action on the matter. (Thisday)
