“Edo Under Siege: Ex-ADC Candidate Mabel Oboh Urges Govt to Act Against Fulani Herdsmen Attacks in Esanland”

A Community in Crisis
Former African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Edo State, Mabel Oboh, has issued an urgent appeal to the state government over escalating attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Ukhun community, Esan West Local Government Area. In a strongly worded statement titled “Urgent Call to Action: Fulani Herdsmen Attacks Devastate Esanland,” Oboh highlighted the rising violence, which has left residents in fear and disrupted farming—the economic lifeline of the agrarian community.

The call follows last week’s deadly attack in Ukhun, where herdsmen reportedly killed one person, injured several others, and destroyed farmlands. Oboh warned that the situation, if unchecked, could plunge Edo into a deeper food and security crisis.

The Human and Economic Toll

Oboh’s statement painted a grim picture of life in Esanland under the herdsmen’s siege:

• Farmers Targeted: Murder, kidnapping, and sexual violence have made farming a high-risk venture.
• Food Shortages: Cultivation has dropped drastically, threatening food security.
• Economic Collapse: With farming stalled, families face heightened poverty.

“The resulting food shortages and economic difficulties are exacerbating the community’s precarious situation,” she stated.

Government’s Silence: A Call to Action

Oboh directed her appeal to Governor Monday Okpebholo, urging immediate intervention to:

1. Deploy Security Forces: Strengthen military/police presence in Ukhun and other hotspots.
2. Ban Open Grazing: Adopt ranching as a sustainable alternative to prevent farmer-herder clashes.
3. Compensate Victims: Provide relief to affected families and rebuild destroyed farms.

“I urge the Edo State Government to prohibit open grazing and adopt ranching practices, which have historically proven effective,” she emphasized.

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Why This Matters

• Escalating Violence: Edo joins states like Benue and Plateau where herdsmen attacks have sparked humanitarian crises.
• 2024 Food Crisis Risk: With farming disrupted, Edo’s food production could nosedive, worsening inflation.
• Political Pressure: Oboh’s outcry adds to growing demands for Southern governors to adopt anti-open grazing laws.

The Bigger Picture: A National Emergency

Edo’s plight mirrors a national crisis, with herdsmen attacks reported in 22 states in 2024 alone. Despite federal promises, critics accuse the Tinubu administration of inaction, leaving states to grapple with the fallout.

Oboh’s Warning:
“Without decisive action, Edo risks descending into anarchy. The time for excuses is over.”

Conclusion: Will Edo Govt Respond?
As Ukhun’s farmers flee their lands and hunger looms, Oboh’s petition tests Governor Okpebholo’s resolve. With elections over, the pressure is on to deliver security—or face a restive populace. The world is watching.