From Moshood Karim
Youths from Ugu Community in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State have raised a clarion call to the Edo State House of Assembly, demanding urgent government intervention to halt what they describe as incessant and violent attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen in the area.
In a formal petition submitted on Monday, the youths, under the aegis of Ugu Youths for Developmental Change (UYDC) and Ugu Solidarity Movement (USM), decried the increasing insecurity in their community. The petition, addressed to the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Honourable Blessing Agbebaku, was submitted through Honourable Bright Iyamu, the lawmaker representing Orhionmwon South Constituency.
The document was jointly signed by Comrade Monday Osemwenkhae, Coordinator of UYDC, and Mr Festus Edoigiawerie, President of USM. In it, the youth groups demanded an immediate ban on open grazing by Fulani herdsmen in Ugu Community, citing a long history of violence, killings, rape, and destruction of farmlands allegedly perpetrated by the herders.
According to the petitioners, the most recent attack occurred on 4 April 2025, when armed herdsmen allegedly invaded Ugu in what they described as an “unprovoked and violent attack”. The incident, they said, resulted in loss of lives, destruction of properties, and further displacement of residents.
“This deadly incident has led to loss of innocent lives, destruction of farmlands, theft of farm produce; families now live in fear and uncertainty,” the petition read. “This is not the first time such a tragic event has occurred, and the loss of lives is still fresh in our memories.”
The youths further accused the herdsmen of carrying sophisticated weapons, including guns and machetes, which they have used against local farmers. “The use of dangerous weapons by herders poses a serious security threat and has directly resulted in deaths and injuries,” the statement continued. “The lack of visible and sustained security presence in our communities has left us vulnerable to future attacks.”
The groups also criticised what they termed the government’s slow response to previous incidents, arguing that this inaction has emboldened the attackers and left residents to fend for themselves.
To address the crisis, Comrade Osemwenkhae urged the state government to formally recognise and expand local vigilante groups, which would operate under the supervision of the police and other security agencies. He also called for increased deployment of security personnel to strategic locations within Ugu and its environs.
Responding to the petition, Honourable Bright Iyamu acknowledged the gravity of the situation, describing the spate of killings as “unbearable”. He admitted that the issue of insecurity was not unique to Ugu but affected various communities across Edo State.
“I can categorically tell you that I am not happy seeing our people slaughtered every day and nothing is done about it,” Iyamu said. “The Executive Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, is trying to take agriculture to the next level, but how can this succeed when our people can no longer go to their farms?”
Iyamu disclosed that plans were underway to organise a town hall meeting involving security agencies and youths from Orhionmwon. The aim, he said, would be to collectively find a sustainable solution to the herdsmen crisis. He, however, cautioned the youth against taking the law into their own hands, warning that such action could lead to unintended consequences, as witnessed in previous incidents such as the violence in Uromi.
“We have able-bodied men in Orhionmwon who can rise to defend the community,” he added. “But we must continue to wait for the appropriate authorities, whose duty it is to protect the lives and property of our people.”
Iyamu also emphasised the importance of collaboration between communities and the government in tackling security challenges, pledging to continue engaging relevant stakeholders until the matter receives the attention it deserves.
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