By Ovie Okpare
The Delta State Police Command has called for calm over the alleged threat by Fulani Jihadists to attack some cities in the state including the Asaba, the state capital, following the ban on open grazing by governors of southern states.
NIGER DELTA TODAY (NDT) Online had reported on Sunday that there was tension and confusion over a 72-hour ultimatum issued Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to withdraw the ban on open grazing or risk the state being attacked.
The suspected Jihadists in their warning letter pasted in some locations in Asaba and Agbor area of the state, claimed responsibility for the fire outbreak that recently gutted the Federal Secretariat, Asaba, housing NYSC offices.
The bandits also claimed that their men were already in the state to cause mayhem should Governor Okowa failed to adhere to their demands within three days beginning from Sunday.
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But reacting to development on Sunday, the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bright Edafe, urged the people of the state to disregard the threat, saying that operatives of the command were in high alert to prevent such attacks.
The statement assured residents of the state that there was no need to panic as undercover police operatives have been drafted to prevent such attacks.
“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.
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“Undercover police operatives have been deployed across the state for the purpose of gathering intelligence. Other proactive measures have been put in place by the command.
“Members of the public are also urged to continue to partner with the police, by providing useful information that will help in policing the state”, the statement read.
