Outrage as suspected herders hack Bayelsa farmer to death

From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa

Outrage, yesterday, greeted the killing of a farmer, Alexander Diri, by suspected herders in the Yambiri community, Zarama calm, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Sources said the deceased was killed in his farm after he complained about the herders’ encroachment on his land with their cattle.

Youths of the community, in a protest against the killing, took to the East- West Road and barricaded it, halting vehicular movement as they demanded justice for the slain farmer.

Findings indicated that a distress call was placed to the Commissioner for Education, Dr Gentle Emelah, who is from the community, to intervene before a complete breakdown of law and order. Emelah, accompanied by the member Representing Yenagoa Constituency 3 in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Ted Elemeforo, the Commissioner for Agriculture & Natural Resources, Chief David Alagoa, and the Chairman, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Central Zone, Mr Clever Inodu, were said to have rushed down to the community.

Alagoa and Inodu are members of the Bayelsa State Livestock Management Committee set up by Diri to enforce the anti-grazing law in the state.

Emelah, while addressing the people, expressed sadness over the killing of the farmer, but appealed for calm.

He said it was natural for the people to grieve over the unfortunate incident, but, however, appealed to them to leave the East-West road, to allow for vehicular movement. He disclosed that Governor Douye Diri was saddened over the incident when he was briefed, adding that steps were being taken to strengthen the already existing anti open grazing law, so as to forestall any future occurrence.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Bayelsa Command, Asinim Butswat, who confirmed the incident, said police detectives were immediately deployed to the community to visit the crime scene.

He said the deceased had been evacuated to the morgue for autopsy, while investigation had commenced.

Governor Douye Diri had, on March 10, 2021, assented to law the bill tagged, ‘Livestock Breeding and Marketing Regulations Bill 2021’.