OHANAEZE Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-political group, has alerted the federal and Enugu State governments of an impending herdsmen attack in some communities in the state. The group alleged that Amagunze community in Nkanu-East, Okpanku in Aninri and Affa community in Udi Local governments in Enugu are at grave risk and danger of herdsmen attack.

Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, president, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Enugu State chapter, said in a press statement made available to Realnews stating that the leadership of Miyetti Allah alleged that some of their cows are missing in these communities and that some Fulani men were killed. He stated that in Affa Community, for instance people are mandated by the herdsmen to pay a ransom of N2 million as compensation for the alleged missing cows out of which N600,000 has been paid.

According to him, it is on the basis of the foregoing that the body called the attention of the federal government, Enugu State Government, the Nigerian Army (especially 82Division of the Nigerian Army), Enugu State Police Command, the Directorate of State Security Services, and other security agencies in the country, especially in Enugu State, to the impending danger of massive attack by these Fulani herdsmen on some communities in Enugu State.

“It will be recalled that only last Sunday, Fulani herdsmen invaded a compound in Okpanku community in Aninri LG Area of Enugu State and inflicted heavy machete cuts on the security guard on duty, a development which the Police Command in Enugu State has confirmed. Even though none of these allegations by Miyetti Allah leadership in Enugu have been substantiated, we are constrained to remark that this was the same flimsy reason given for the gruesome attack by the herdsmen in 2016 at Nimbo community in Enugu State.

“As was the case at that time, the government and security network were forewarned about the attack but nothing significant was done to avert it. It is on account of this that we are hereby putting both the Enugu State and Federal Governments and the entire security apparatus both in Enugu State and the country at large on high alert of the impending assault by these Fulani herdsmen on some communities in Enugu State,” he said.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Enugu warned that it would not tolerate anymore shedding of blood in Enugu State or any part of Igboland on account of Fulani herdsmen. Ogbonnia stated that their position on grazing ranches is very clear. “In truth, since 2015 nothing has happened in Nigeria that seems to attenuate our position on the rejection of grazing ranches in Igboland and we cannot abdicate our land for any such purpose.

“Perhaps it is important to state here that Enugu is the soul of Igboland and if these attacks eventually occur, Enugu State people and indeed Ndigbo would take it as a declaration of war by other means against the Igbo nation,” he said.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has severally called for the fiscal restructuring of Nigeria as the first step towards moving Nigeria forward.

Ogbonnia said that their conviction on the process of true federalism anchored on fiscal restructuring, has, rather than diminish, been strengthened by events in the country, not in the least, the menace of Fulani herdsmen. “While Ndigbo are committed to a united and peaceful Nigeria, we wish to state categorically here that we will not be the scapegoat for peace and unity in Nigeria.

“Nigeria cannot afford to learn geology the morning after the earthquake. The relevant authorities must work to abort this impending catastrophe, particularly the Enugu State Government and the Federal Government. A stitch in time saves nine,” he said.

– Jul. 5, 2018 @ 11:27 GMT |