—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
No comments:
Post a Comment