A former governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the 2020 Edo governorship election, Mabel Oboh has called on the state government to address the security challenges facing Ukhun community in Esan West Local Government Area. Oboh emphasized that immediate action is needed to protect the lives and property of the community’s residents.
In a statement titled “Urgent Call to Action: Fulani Herdsmen Attacks Devastate Esanland,” made available to journalists in Benin on Thursday, Oboh condemned the recent attacks by herdsmen in the area. Last week, herdsmen invaded Ukhun, killing one person and injuring several others. Oboh expressed grave concern over the increasing frequency and intensity of these attacks, which have sparked widespread outrage.
She urged Governor Godwin Obaseki to take swift action to mitigate the devastating impact of the herdsmen’s activities. Oboh pointed out that these attacks have created a climate of fear in the Esan region, severely affecting farmers who are now facing threats of murder, kidnapping, and sexual violence, all of which have hindered their ability to work the land.
“The resulting food shortages and economic hardship are only worsening the community’s already precarious situation,” Oboh said. She emphasized that the recent attack in Ukhun, which led to a death and multiple injuries, is another example of the violence directed at farmers in the area.
Oboh further called for a ban on open grazing, as it has become a significant threat to the livelihoods of the people in Esanland.
She urged the state government to take decisive action to protect the lives and assets of the Esan people and restore peace to the region.
