Leaders of the Fulani community in Delta have absolved themselves from the 72-hour ultimatum publication issued to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa by “Fulani Jihadists” over the proposed ban on open grazing by the southern governors’ forum.
This was disclosed in a press briefing in Asaba on Monday, by the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Okowa on Special Duties, Alhaji Muktar Usman, flanked by the leadership of the Fulanis, Alhaji Muhammed Musa (the Sarki Fulani Delta state); Alhaji Abubakar Haruna (Chairman of Miyetti Allah, Delta state) and Alhaji Useni Haruna, Sarki Asaba.
They announced their disappointment with the development stating that they have no association with the publication.
“Yesterday was a very sad story for the leadership of Fulani in Delta. We woke up to see the viral report in the media that suspected Fulani Jihadists threatened to attack Delta State.
“We are very disappointed in that threat and we are calling on the Governor of Delta, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa and security agencies in the state to know that we are not part and parcel of that threat.
“We are in very good understanding with our host communities and we must thank the Governor because we are accepted more here in Delta than even in our respective states.”
Alhaji Musa Mohammed said that his people had settled in Delta for over 40 years and cannot threaten their host community or create problems for the state, a place they earn their living.
He urged the state government to arrest the perpetrators while putting up measures to strengthen security across the state.
They further disclosed that there has been tension in the community since they received the news and urged the citizens to remain calm.
“So I want to call on all our peace-loving people to remain calm and avoid unnecessary tension because since yesterday(Sunday), our people have been panicking.
“We are telling the world today that we condemn this act in all ramifications; we are not part of it and we don’t intend to fight anybody, we are peace-loving people,” they said.
Meanwhile, the Ijaw Youth Council has thrown their weight on the decision of the southern governors’ forum, urging security agencies to fish out authors of the threat as they revealed that they have the capacity to defend themselves and their territory.
