URGENT NEED TO DEPLOY SECURITY AGENTS TO ITSUKWI, IMIEGBA, OKPEKPE AND IMIAKEBU COMMUNITIES TO HALT HERDSMEN’S ONSLAUGHT AGAINST INNOCENT CITIZENS

 JUST IN:

Sponsor: Hon. Billy Famous Adesuwa Osawaru (Member Representing Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode Federal Constituency, Edo State)

The House:

Notes that Section 14 (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As amended) provides that the people's security and welfare shall be the government's primary purpose.

Also notes that Section 17 (b) of the Constitution provides that the sanctity of the human person shall be recognised and human dignity shall be maintained and enhanced; governmental actions shall be humane. 

Further notes that Chapter 4 of the nation’s Constitution in Section 33 (1) provides that “Every person has a right to life, and no one shall be deprived intentionally of his life, save in execution of the sentence of a court in respect of a criminal offence of which he has been found guilty in Nigeria.”

Aware that “Every individual is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person” and accordingly, “No person shall be subjected to torture or inhuman or degrading treatment.”

Aware that on Monday, October 28, 2024, herdsmen invaded Ugbereke, a popular farmland known for its fertility and destroyed completely the yam plantation of a youth leader in Itsukwi community (Ward 9, Etsako East Local Government Area, Edo State), Mr. Samuel Igbeneghu. 

Worried that on Tuesday November 5, 2024, three farmers by the names Umuagene Obey, Emuesugheli Obi and Ogbitabu Imoudumhe (all from Okpekpe community in Ward 10, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State were ambushed on the way to their farms and brutally murdered by suspected herdsmen.

Also worried that same day, the killers made their way to Ugbereke, and killed one Undyar Aondongu, male, while at five women were beaten and left to flee with various degrees of injuries. 

Further worried that as a result of these violent campaigns, farmers in these communities no longer visit their farms for fear of being attacked or killed.

Disturbed that if the Federal Government fails to take the necessary steps to protect the lives and property of the people; acute hunger owing to food scarcity would be the natural consequence, not just for the people of the area but the entire Etsako East Local Government Area and by extension, Edo State as a whole.

Resolves:

1. Observe a minute silence in honour of the dead;

2. Urge the Inspector General of Police, Chief of Defence Staff and Director General, Department of State Services (DSS) to deploy their personnel to Itsukwi, Imiakebu, Imiegba and Okpekpe communities to safeguard the lives and property of the people;

3. Urge the Inspector General of Police and other relevant agencies to investigate this tragic incident and fish out the perpetrators for prosecution; and

4. Provide financial assistance to Mr Samuel Igbeneghu, whose farm was destroyed, to enable him to prepare for the next planting season.

I so move Mr Speaker and dear colleagues.

Hon. Billy Famous Adesuwa Osawaru,member representing Orhionmwon and Uhunmwode Federal Constituency of Edo State.