Residents of Ibusa community in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State have raised serious concerns over the continued invasion of their farmlands by Fulani herdsmen, alleging widespread destruction of crops, harassment of villagers, and trespass on ancestral lands.
According to the residents, herdsmen have, for several months, carried out a series of attacks and illegal grazing activities across various quarters of the community — including Umueze, Umuodafe, Umuekea, Atu-Farm Road, and Ogbeowele — with little or no consequence.
The farmers, describing themselves as “helpless,” accused the traditional ruler of Ibusa and the chairman of Oshimili North Local Government Area of “deafening silence” and alleged complicity in the face of the ongoing crisis.
“Despite all our cries and complaints over the mass destruction of our crops and plants by the Fulani herdsmen, the community traditional ruler and the local government chairman have continued to pay deaf ears. Our crops are being destroyed daily, and if you challenge the herdsmen, you risk being attacked or even sanctioned by the palace,” one of the affected farmers lamented.
They further alleged that local security outfits in the community had stopped intervening, claiming most security agents were afraid to confront the herders, who reportedly enjoy the protection of the palace.
Another farmer said the situation escalated after the traditional ruler allegedly handed over cows donated to him by community members to Fulani herdsmen for rearing.
“What began as isolated cases of cattle invading our farms has become a full-blown security threat. We now receive death threats from armed herdsmen and can no longer visit our farms safely,” another resident said.
A resident and farmer identified as Ngozi described the development as a “dangerous alliance” between the monarch and the herders.
“The king now protects the Fulani herdsmen because they rear his cows. They destroy our farms, threaten to kill us if we complain, and if we speak up, the palace sanctions us.
The herdsmen act with impunity because they rear the monarch’s cattle. Even when they destroy farms, no one dares report it. The council chairman is aware but cannot act without the king’s approval. I plead with Ibusa indigenes to stop donating cows to the monarch — what was once goodwill has now become a curse,” Ngozi stated.
Speaking with Voice of the People (VOP) during a visit to some of the affected farmlands, Onowu Sunday Otomah, Oranebo Endurance, and Joshua Peremobowei estimated their losses at over ₦5 million, appealing to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, the State Commissioner of Police, and well-meaning indigenes to intervene before the situation escalates further.
Voice of the People (VOP) reliably gathered that, despite repeated calls for intervention, there has been no official response from the Ibusa Palace as of the time of filing this report.
Efforts to contact the traditional council proved unsuccessful, as aides declined to comment. Multiple calls placed to the monarch’s mobile line also went unanswered, while VOP correspondents were denied access to the palace.
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