Aminat Gusanu
A suspected Fulani herdsman identified as Abu Alli has been arrested by members of a community vigilante group in Agbor-Nta, Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State.
The suspect was apprehended in the community’s forest with charms and cut-to-size cutlasses.
The vigilante group led by its chairman, Mr Francis Ofuonyeafuzor, raided the forest after it was tipped off by a female farmer in the community, alleging that the young Fulani boy was an informant to herdsmen who have been reportedly attacking residents and travellers in the area.
A community source who pleaded anonymity alleged that the suspect had on several occasions stolen yams, pepper and other crops to feed himself in the bush.
The source further said that the suspect was taken to the community head who directed a team of the community youths, hunters and the vigilante to comb the forest with a view to apprehending his gang members.
The suspect was reported to have confessed that he had been living in the bush for some times now.
The source who added that the suspect claimed that he was producing herb, said he also confessed to have lived in the bush of other communities in Agbor but was chased out by indigenes.
Chairman of the vigilante group, Mr. Francis Ofuonyeafuzor who spoke to newsmen, narrated how the boy was arrested in the bush, disclosing that his makeshift hut was brought down.
He said; “raiding of the forest will serve as a signal to his gang members (herdsmen) that Agbor-Nta farms and forest is not a safe place for criminal act”.
While saying that Agbor people are hospitable, he held that it was a crime for a complete stranger to live in the bush, adding that the suspect has been handed over to the police for further investigation.
Effort to reach the Police Public Relations Officer PPRO, in the state, DSP Edafe Bright to speak on the matter proved abortive.
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