South-east Can Threatens To Mobilize Ipob, Massob Against Fulani Herdsmen

BEVERLY HILLS, April 26, (THEWILL) – The Anglican Archbishop of Enugu, Most Rev'd Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuma has strongly condemned the attack by Fulani herdsmen on Ukpabi-Nimbo community in Enugu State, warning that churches in Igboland are set to mobilise members of pro-Biafra groups against any Fulani herdsman sighted in Igboland.

He spoke the same time that the Movement for Actualisation for Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB claimed that 130 persons were killed in Monday's attack, declaring that it will now apply force in the defence of people of the South-east from those it described as “sacred cow Fulani herdsmen.”

Addressing journalists at the Bishops' Court in Enugu, on Tuesday, Chukwuma averred that Ndigbo would no longer condone the blood-thirsty Fulani herdsmen who, he noted, had continued to harass, maim, kill, rape women and destroy farmland in communities in Igboland without reprisal.

Warning that another civil war might break out due to the activities of Fulani herdsmen, Chukwuma, who doubles as the chairman of the South-East Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, wondered why the Federal Government and South-East governors had remained silent in the face of provocation.

“Why has there been no arrest up till now? We call on the Federal Government to declare state of emergency in Igboland over the Fulani herdsmen threat to security in the zone or else we will declare war against the Fulani herdsmen.

“…We will mobilise IPOB, MASSOB and other Biafra agitators against the Fulani herdsmen in the zone. I feel bitter, I feel aggrieved. I feel sad that government at the centre and our governors cannot protect us. Failure to curb the activities of Fulani herdsmen will make us to ban the Fulani herdsmen from rearing their cattle in the zone.

“Any attempt to harass any Igbo youth, or any community in Igboland will not be taken lightly. We will not tolerate it in Igboland.

“We are declaring war against the Fulani herdsmen. We are calling on Northern elders to caution their people (Fulani herdsmen). Government should speak out against this Fulani menace,” the cleric added.

Stressing that it was high time the Igbo governors rose to the security challenge, he threatened that the zone would pass a vote of no confidence on the South-East governors, if they failed to live up to the challenge posed by the marauders.

“Where did the Fulani herdsmen get the AK-47 rifles? We will bring our own 'Ogbunigwe' out to defend our rights. We will match force with force.

“Another civil war is looming because of the notorious activities of Fulani herdsmen. Ndigbo cannot keep quiet any longer. That we were defeated in the last civil war does not meant we will remain slaves forever even in our land. We will defend our land with our blood and anything including 'Ogbunigwe' the mass destruction weapon,” he said.

On its part, MASSOB, in a statement issued by the its Director of Information, Samuel Edeson, disclosed that Monday's attack was an ethnic cleansing planned as far back as 2003, adding that it has given a 30-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to put an end to the attacks by herdsmen or face the consequence.

The statement reads, “We condemn the attack by Fulani herdsmen at Uzo-uwani L.G.A Enugu State. We wish to remind Ndigbo that this killing and destruction of property of our people by Fulani herdsmen is getting out of hands. The fact that MASSOB believes in non- violence does not mean that we cannot defend ourselves. There is a limit to human endurance.”

“MASSOB is worried that Fulani herdsmen have become very daring in their attacks since President Buhari came to power. We are not saying Buhari is their sponsor, but his silence over the attacks is suspect. MASSOB is giving the government 30 days to stop the attacks or face our wrath.”