Herdsmen attack: Gov. Ugwuanyi inaugurates 7-man Judicial Commission of Inquiry for Nimbo killings

The Enugu State Government has inaugurated a 7-man Judicial Commission

of Inquiry into the killings and destruction of property in Ukpabi

Nimbo in Uzo-Uwani local government council by suspected Fulani

herdsmen.
Inaugurating the commission of inquiry at Government House Enugu, the

State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, charged the members to

unravel the circumstances surrounding the dastardly act with a view to

bringing justice to all concerned in line with section 4(1) of the

Commission of Inquiry Law, Cap 24, Revised Laws of Enugu State 2004.

According to the  terms of reference, Governor Ugwuanyi tasked the

commission members to among others  to ascertain the remote causes of

the bloodbath and destruction of  property, investigate and ascertain

the number of persons killed, injured and their identities as well as

the extent of the security forces involvement in the act.

They are also to ascertain the property destroyed, their owners and

the values and recommend appropriate measures to be taken to forestall

future occurrence, among others.
Responding on behalf of other members, the Chairman of the commission,

Hon Justice Chukwuma Ene JSC (retired) said that with the wealth of

experience of the members justice would be done in line with the rule

of  law.

He thanked the governor and the people of Enugu State for the trust

and confidence reposed on them
The membership of the commission is as follows:
Hon. Justice Chukwuma Ene JSC (rtd) as chairman, Major General Godwin

Ugwuoke (rtd),  Prof. Uchenna Nwagha, Prof. Osita Nnamani Ogbu  and

Anthonia Nkemdilim Ugbene-Mgbachi as members, while the terms of

reference include:
The Terms of Reference in Full:
1.     To ascertain the remote and immediate causes of the recent

bloodbath and destruction of property in Nimbo in Uzo-Uwani Local

Government Area.
2.    To examine in detail the involvement of the Security forces in

dealing with the situation before and after the bloodbath and

destruction of property.
3.    To investigate and ascertain the number of persons killed or

injured in the disturbances and their identities.
4.    To ascertain the properties destroyed, their owners and the value

of such properties.
5.    To identify person (s) or group of persons who either by acts or

omissions were directly or indirectly involved or connected with or

sponsored the violence, killings of people and destruction of

property.
6.    To make recommendations regarding persons whom the Commission Ends

blameworthy in connection with the violence, killings and damage to

property.
7.    To identify all communities in Enugu State where the herdsmen live

and graze their cattle.
8.    To ascertain the conditions under which they occupy the grazing

areas they live and graze in including their relationship with their

host communities. ‘
9.    To recommend to the Government on the procedure to’ be followed by

herdsmen intending to graze their cattle in the State.

10.    To recommend appropriate sanction/punishment for those who violate

the conditions recommended.
11.    To recommend prosecution for all those identified to have been

involved in the killings and destruction of property in Nimbo or

breached their lawful duties by not preventing the bloodbath and

destruction of property.
12.    To recommend appropriate security measures (including carrying of

picture IDs by herdsmen and other security guidelines] that will

prevent a future occurrence of the bloodbath and destruction of

property.