The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), Monday, asked the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Zaki Ahmed, to control the activities of herdsmen in the state.
The group made the call following an attack by herdsmen on Okpaku people in Eleme Local Government Area of the state.
The group’s spokesperson, Fegalo Nsuke, said MOSOP is worried about the activities of herdsmen in Ogoni land and the recent attack which left one person hospitalised after he was stabbed with a knife.
Rising from its steering committee meeting, the group said it condemned the attack on the peaceful community and urged the state commissioner of police to provide security to local people in the area.
“MOSOP strongly condemned the breakdown of law and order following the attack on the Ogoni community and called on the Rivers State commissioner of police to regulate the activities of herders and swiftly provide security for local people in the area who could be victims of further attacks as had been recorded in parts of the country,” Mr. Nsuke stated.
“The Steering Committee also noted that MOSOP has not and had never endorsed any oil firm to operate the Ogoni oilfields. Steering Committee held that any form of oil production in Ogoni was not acceptable at this time.
“The Steering Committee also approved the convening of the first quarter congress of the Ogoni people to be held before the end of March 2018.”
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He said the committee considered an appeal from a suspended president of its youth wing, Victor Wisdom and approved his readmission into the National Youth Council of Ogoni People (NYCOP).
Armed herdsmen have launched bloody attacks on many states of the Federation with Benue, Taraba, Adamawa and Plateau recording the highest casualties.
On the New Year Eve, rampaging herdsmen invaded several communities in Logo and Guma local government areas of Benue and killed over 100 persons and inflicted life-threatening injuries on many.
Following the reluctance of the Federal Government to check the situation, notable Nigerians, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Military President, Ibrahim Babangida, have written letters to President Muhammadu Buhari not to contest the 2019 polls.
They accused the president of incompetence and appealed to Nigerians to assist the government in the process of transiting power to more qualified Nigerians come 2019.
