Fire Incident in Asaba, Fulani Group Threats, Delta Police Command Ready to Secure Delta State

A yet-to-be identified group, on  Sunday took responsibility for the fire incident that occurred at the Federal Secretariat complex along Okpanam Road in Asaba, Delta State capital. Recalls a mysterious fire had reportedly engulfed the Federal Secretariat complex along Okpanam Road in Asaba, Delta State capital as reported

The unknown group, in a leaflet dropped at strategic location in Asaba, said that it bombed the secretariat to pass a message to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to reverse his stance on open gazing ban. 

The group, in the unsigned letter further threatened to attack Asaba, the state capital, and Agbor, if Governor Okowa does not withdraw his support for the ban on open grazing within 72 hours.

Sources said that the letter containing the threat was pasted in strategic locations in Asaba including the fence of the Living Faith Church aka Winners Chapel at Infant Jesus Road.

The letter titled ‘Fulani Jihadist Warning: An Open Message of 2 Paragraphs to Delta State’ is dated June 13, 2021.

The development which has heightened tension in the state, is coming on the heels of another concealed letter to the police in the state by persons in the eastern states that they will attack the state.

The latest threat letter reads: “This is to inform Delta State that the Fulanis of Usman Dan Fodio leadership, shall do everything it can to uphold the legacy of our heritage of open grazing for we are nomadic people from origination and shall never negotiate the ownership of Nigeria and West Africa and Sub-Sahara.

“We hereby demand the Governor of Delta State to immediately withdraw is early stand for the call to ban open grazing in 17 regions in not less than 72 hours from the above date and also, withdraw his position as the leading voice for the governors, as no occurrence we don’t have the first-hand information, even before the hosting of the South-South. South-East and South-West governors meeting in Asaba.

“Failure to adhere to this demand for been the host of the 17 governors, Delta State, most likely the city of Asaba and Agbor, shall encounter severe consequences than that of Bornu, Kebbi, Kastina, Kaduna, Enugu, Benue, Oyo and many more that will not respect the Fulani’s heritage, as we take responsibility for the detonate explosive uncovered in the state capital secretariat, which should serve as warning to the Delta State Government for what is to come, should the governor fail to abide to our demand.

“We highly advice all Fulanis and northermers, including the security personnel to leave Delta State as soon as possible for the wind of our action is now present in the land, for failure of the governor to adhere to our call, this shall live us with no choice.”

Meanwhile, the Police Command in Delta State has dismissed the threat of possible attack by the so-called Fulani Jahadist, saying all machineries have been put in place to nip in the bud any unforetold incident.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Command’s spokesman, DSP Edafe Bright entitled “DELTA STATE POLICE COMMAND ASSURES DELTANS OF THEIR SAFETY AND SECURITY”.

“The attention of the Command has been drawn to a recent publication making rounds purportedly published by the fulani’s of Usman dan fodio leadership tagged “FULANI JIHADIST WARNINGS” and pasted in various locations round Asaba and Agbor to be precise.

“The command under the watch of CP Ari Muhammed Ali, FCIA, psc+ who is ever committed in its responsibility of providing security for all Deltans, is assuring members of the public to ignore the said publication which must have been pasted by miscreants with the aim of creating panic in the state. All modalities have been put in place to forestall any of such occurrence, all residents are advice to go about their lawful businesses without fear or panic.