There is a palpable air of tension in Okpanam town in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State over the agitation by some herdsmen who have cried out over the burning of their settlement.
They also want an investigation into culprits and want them brought to justice.
According to the herdsmen leader, Abubakar Haruna, youths from the Obodogba invaded their camp and destroyed property, alleging complicity of the herder’s in the killing of some vigilante members.
He appealed for security for his people, adding that they were law-abiding citizens who would never contemplate taking the law into their hands no matter the level of provocation.
Mohammed Elunor, counsel to the residents, described the mob action as unfortunate. He added that they had forwarded a petition to the police to investigate the matter.
“It is quite unfortunate because there is no vicarious liability in criminal matters. If there was a kidnapping incident within Okpanam community, it is not sufficient for them to now identify the Fulani settlement and destroy their property, it is not good at all.
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The allegation that the kidnappers are from here and that the people are shielding them is too bogus, it is not correct. Relating kidnapping to the Fulani tribe is not peculiar to Okpanam, it is something happening in most rural areas in Nigeria,” Elunor said.
He said he had been able to dissuade the Fulani settlers from avenging the attack to avoid a cycle of violence, adding that “we have written petition to the Commissioner of Police in the state to fish out those who came to set the area ablaze.”
However, the President of Obodogba youths, Christopher Agali absolved the youths of Okpanam of involvement in the mob action.
