Delta state under siege - Governor Okowa

The governor of Delta state, Ifeanyi Okowa, has cried out that the state is under siege by herdsmen. The governor made this statement during his visit to Isiokolo, Ethiope local government area of the state, in continuation of the town hall meetings across the state, it's reported that Governor Okowa insisted that Delta state will not allocate lands to the establishment of cattle colonies. 

Ahead of Buhari's visit, over 2,000 police officers deployed in Plateau state Okowa said: “Unfortunately, in our state, we are under siege. But we are trying to manage it the best way possible. We have made a statement that we will not support cattle colonies in Delta state because we do not have enough land for our farmers, considering the fact that a lot of our land is already degraded from oil exploitation activities.

 “We have raised these issues, along with other states, as we have no doubt that the clashes we have here is not limited to Delta state. “We believe the federal government needs to work out a policy that will checkmate this and we are happy that the vice president is currently leading a committee to look into this, but before then, we will continue to work with the state’s commissioner of police on how to look into the issues involved

Meanwhile, previously reported that a Delta state local government council concluded plans to ensure that all herdsmen grazing their cattle within the area carry proper identification. It was reported that to be allowed to graze their herds within and around Ughelli South local government area of the state, herdsmen must now carry identity cards. The new practice which began in February 11 includes taking of biometrics and receiving of identification cards of the herdsmen who are willing to ply their trade in the area.