Nimbo Massacres: Ohaneze Expresses Fear Of Breakdown Of Law And Order

The Ohaneze Ndigbo, Enugu State chapter, yesterday expressed fear of possible breakdown of law and order because of the unabated killing, rape, destruction of farmlands and other heinous crimes by Fulani herdsmen in the state.

The group, in a statement by Chief Eric Ebenyi, chairman, Enugu chapter, condemned the killing of over twenty persons in Nimbo, Uzo-Uwani LGA; incarceration of over seventy-six youths of Ugwuleshi in Awgu LGA, abduction and killing of youths in Ezeagu LGA by Fulani herdsmen. “We urge the federal government to constitute a panel to investigate the involvement of the military in the incarceration of Awgu youths for two weeks in Umuahia Prison.

We also urge the government to direct security agencies in the state, especially the military and police, to put a mechanism in protecting lives and property of the people,” the statement read. The chapter also commended Enugu state governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for his prompt intervention that led to the release of Awgu youths as well as the massacres at Nimbo, and called on him to constitute a panel of enquiry to fathom the causes of the increasing cases of problems created by Fulani herdsmen in the state.

Ohaneze in the statement advised Fulani herdsmen to desist from causing further damage on Ndigbo, warning that if nothing is done, people might be left with no option than to protect themselves in whichever capacity they deem appropriate. While commiserating with the bereaved families, it also called on the federal government to investigate the matter and bring the perpetrators to book. It further decried what it called ‘the docile attitude of security agencies in the whole circumstances even when there were security reports to that effect’.