From Maurice Okafor,Enugu.
The leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo,Enugu state chapter,has condemned incessant attacks in some parts of the state,resulting to destruction of lives and farm lands perpetrated by Fulani herdsmen.
The condemnation came on the heels of Sunday August 1, attack on Okpokwu-Mgbuji community in Isi-Uzo local government area of the state.
In a press statement released in Enugu yesterday,jointly signed by the state President and secretary of the organization,professor Fred Ozo Eze and Dr Malachy, Ohanaeze Ndigbo described the menace as barbaric and the latest in the series if such mayhelm in Enugu state communities pepertrated by Fulani herdsmen.
The statement read in parts,”The unwarranted invasion, wanton destruction of lives and property including farmlands by Fulani herdsmen on Okpokwu-Mgbuji community in Isi-Uzo LG of Enugu State is the latest in the long list of carnage, mayhem, premeditated but unprovoked attacks by Fulani herdsmen in various communities in Enugu State.
The latest carnage, which occurred in the dead hours of Sunday, August 1, 2021 left 8 persons dead, including a pregnant woman; and several others still missing as at the time of this press release”.
“The Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Enugu state chapter, described the ugly incidence as very unjystifiable,statingbit could no longer be tolerated. It called on security agencies and critical stakeholders to bring the culprits to book.
“”Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Enugu State unequivocally condemns this attack on the peaceful Mgbuji Community. This deliberate mass murder by these marauding herdsmen cannot be justified by any stretch of the imagination. We, therefore, condemn this attack in its totality as barbaric, provocative and a clear assault on the accommodative spirit of Ndi-Enugu State”
” We can no longer tolerate the intentional decimation of our people by Fulani herdsmen or any other group for that matter; not today, tomorrow or ever. This must stop. We, therefore call on all the Security Agencies and other critical stakeholders in the State to urgently identify and bring the culprits to book”.
“We wish to thank His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ifeanyi Lawrence Ugwuanyi, for his prompt response to this security emergency; and his appeal for calm in the affected community and the entire Enugu State. We are aware that the Governor has at various times reached out to the leadership of Miyetti Allah in Enugu State with appeals to rein-in their men so that we can all live in peace.”
“Regrettably, despite these peace initiatives and engagements by the Governor, we have had repeated cases of killings by Fulani herdsmen in Enugu State including Uzo-Uwani, Nkanu-East, Awgu, Udi and Enugu-East LGAs. We wish to warn that the peaceful disposition of the Governor and indeed the people of Enugu State should not be taken for granted or interpreted as a sign of weakness as no one has the monopoly of Violence”.
