In the wake of the recent uprising between the people of Ogume Clan in Ndokwa West local government area of Delta state and Hausa/Fulani herdsmen, the state government has reassured of efforts to curtail the excesses of herdsmen whose cattle allegedly destroy farmlands in parts of the state.

The State Government which denied there was a siege of any sort, also assured that all the victims during the last clash which claimed some lives would be adequately compensated.

Reacting to a recent inciting security alert advertorial issued by Ogume Clan Development Association, in the aftermath of the wanton destruction of farmlands in Ogume clan by cattle belonging to Hausa/Fulani herdsmen, the state Commissioner for Information, Barr. Chike C. Ogeah Esq, said the Government of Delta State had waded into the issue in a bid to restore order and harmony between Ogume community and Hausa/Fulani herdsmen.

The statement titled “Re: Ogume Under Siege” and made available to Blank NEWS Online on Wednesday, May 8, 2013 reads:

“In an advertorial published in the Vanguard newspaper of Monday, May 6, 2013, the Ogume Clan Development Association drew the attention of the public to the security challenge in the area over the destruction of farmlands in the clan by cattle belonging to Fulani herdsmen.

“The Government of Delta State had waded into the issue on the outset and held meetings with leaders of the Ogume Clan and the herdsmen with a view to restoring order and harmony as acknowledged in the advertorial. Again, as rightly noted in the said publication by the Ogume Clan Development Association, the clan had lived harmoniously with the Fulani herdsmen whereby a piece of land was allocated to the herdsmen.

“The Government of Delta State has been liaising with all stakeholders and security agencies over the matter and wishes to reassure the Ogume Clan that measures are being taken to resolve the challenge and give succour to the farmers whose crops were damaged as well as those affected by the violent attacks by some renegade herdsmen. The State Government hereby assures the Ogume Clan and, indeed, every other community that provides grazing grounds for Fulani herdsmen that measures have been taken to ensure that the herdsmen are confined to the designated grazing areas.

“The Government appeals to the Ogume Clan and its leaders to remain calm as the dispute will soon be a thing of the past while succour will be provided to all that suffered any loss. These will be unveiled in the coming days.”