Agogo residents to fight Fulani herdsmen gun for gun

Residents of Agogo in the Asante Akyim North District of the Ashanti region are bracing up to return fire on Fulani herdsmen in the area who they accuse of terrorizing them.

The residents also accused the herdsmen of murders, rapes and constant harassment of the indigenes.

Dampened by the seeming delay by government in responding to their plights, the residents hit the streets of Agogo on Friday to register their displeasure about the vicious activities of the Fulani herdsmen.

A Spokesperson for the Agogo Residents Association, Kingsley Obeng, told Joy FM's Top Story that if the government fails to act within two weeks, they will take the law into their own hands, swearing, they will kick the Fulani herdsmen from the area.

“If by two weeks time the government does not come to our aid we shall take the law into our hands and do whatever we like with the herdsmen… We shall fight them, we are also having guns.”

He said they were certain that most of the atrocities committed in the area were done by the Fulani herdsmen.

Mr Obeng said when they met chiefs of the area, they were told that the Fulani herdsmen have overstayed their welcome and would no longer be tolerated in the area.

He opined that the Fulanis were given up to 29th March by the chiefs to leave the area because they have “violated” their part of the agreement with the chiefs, which allows them to live on their land, but “up till now they are still here, killing us and doing all sort of things they like. That is why we are angry now.”

He said they are also not interested in going to court because the law is cumbersome, and would delay justice for them.

Meanwhile, the Minister for Interior, Dr Benjamin Kumbuor cautioned the residents against taking the laws into their own hands, maintaining, that such move would “be a very dangerous step”.

“I would want to caution, and very, very firmly that any citizen in this country who takes the law into his hands, it is the responsibility of the security agencies, constitutionally, to protect lives and property.”

He said the government is aware of the “complicated” situation in the area as it works around the clock, carrying out its responsibility, to maintain peace and order there.

“[The issue in Agogo] is one that is a very large mix bag of so many things. It involves emotions, it involves legal question, it involves social cohesion, it involves international rule. It is a very complicated area.”

Inasmuch as he sympathized with the residents, Dr Kumbuor also asked the residents to be cautious of rushing into conclusion, thus attributing every single crime in the area to the Fulani herdsmen.

He said while the government reviews the situation there, the joint military/police team dispatched to the area would be maintained.

Story by Isaac Essel/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana