Another Fulani attack looms, as Ohanaeze blasts security agencies

—INDICATIONS emerged, weekend, that Fulani herdsmen have regrouped in bushes on Iga community’s corridor, Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State, to launch another attack, even as the apex socio- cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, met yesterday in Enugu with a call on the Federal Government to boot out of office, all security heads in Enugu State over lapses that culminated in the slaughter of 46 Ukpabi, Nimbo natives last Monday by Fulani herdsmen. A communique made available to Vanguard at the end of the meeting of Imeobi (highest decision organ) of the group, read in part: ”Imeobi expresses disappointment at the obvious security lapses which allowed these heinous acts to be committed in Nimbo community. “Imeobi, therefore, calls on Enugu State Government and the Federal Government to ensure that a thorough investigation is carried out with a view to ensuring that all those responsible for the lapses are made to account and be punished for their action. “Imeobi mandates Ohanaeze leadership to take all necessary actions to ensure that such incident never again occurs in any other part of the South-East geopolitical zone. “Imeobi endorses the position of Ohanaeze on rejection of the proposed Grazing Bill. Cattle grazing is private business and, therefore, should not be done in a manner that individual’s or community’s rights are infringed upon. “Imeobi views with grave concern and unequivocally, condemns the recent slaughter by Fulani herdsmen of our defenceless kith and kin in Nimbo, Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State.” Security agencies accept blame Meanwhile, 48 hours after Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State accused security operatives in the state of being complicit, demanding explanation as to their whereabouts between 6.30 and 7.30a.m. last Monday, which gave the Fulani herdsmen a window to slaughter 46 natives of Ukpabi, Nimbo community, despite the assurances they gave him that they were on ground, none of the security agencies accused have come up with a response. This was even as tension, weekend, enveloped Iga community, about 46 kilometrre from Nimbo in the same Uzo-Uwani council area, of another planned attack on the natives by herdsmen, who were said to be regrouping in bushes near the community’s corridor. Vanguard gathered that the natives have resorted to self- help, arming themselves to ward off impending threats, following perceived inaction from security operatives in neighbouring Nimbo community. Herdsmen regroup for another attack A dependable source told Vanguard, weekend, that the herdsmen had regrouped in bushes on Iga community’s corridor to launch another attack on the community. The source revealed that the herdsmen were emboldened from the high casualty rate recorded in last week’s attack that caught security operatives napping. Further investigation by Vanguard showed that a possible clash may be in the offing at Adani community, still in the same Uzo-Uwani council area, between the natives and a densely-populated Hausa community resident in the area. The northerners, Vanguard gathered, bought parcels of land and built residential houses on them which has, over time, turned a Hausa community settlement at Adani. But following last Monday’s attack on Nimbo community, the Adani natives are said to be living in perpetual fear. The natives, it was learned, are united on driving away the Hausa community from their area, a situation that is generating tension. MASSOB warns of more attacks Also yesterday, principal officials of MASSOB executives rose from an emergency meeting in Okwe, MASSOB headquarters. It's leader, Uchenna Madu, in communique made available to Vanguard, said: ”President Muhammadu Buhari’s sudden, pressurised U-turn and presidential order against Fulani’s herdsmen is a complete political jamboree which can never hold any water. “It is a hypocritical exhibition meant to deceive the Igbo and Christians in general. “More coordinated military camouflaged pogroms is