Apart from Senator Chukwuka Utazi representing Enugu North Senatorial District who openly condemned the recent killings by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Uzo-Uwani nothing has been said or heard about that attack.
Government has also remained mute. The police has not said a word about possible arrest or even condemning the act.
The herdsmen attack on a farm settlement in Opanda-Nimbo as usual claimed several lives.
Because nothing was said or done about the Uzo-Uwani attack, the herdsmen struck again. This time at Okpokwu-Mgbuji community in Isi-Uzo LGA.
Enugu chapter of Ohanaeze condemned the attack describing it as “the latest in the long list of carnage, mayhem, premeditated but unprovoked attacks by Fulani herdsmen in various communities in Enugu State.”
The attack which happened on Sunday, August 1, 2021 left 8 persons dead, including a pregnant womman. Several others were also reported missing.
A statement signed by Prof. Fred Odo Eze, President, and Dcn. Malachy Chuma Ochie, Secretary, read;
“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.”
On his part Senator Utazi captured the scenario as “persistent and routine killings of natives, security agents and migrant farmers in Uzo Uwani LGA lately, and consequently turning the area into a killing field.”
The Senator, like the Ohanaeze, appreciated the efforts of Governor Ugwuanyi, in his containment security policies in the State as a whole.
He however, called on the Local Government Chairman of Uzo Uwani, the Neighbourhood Watchmen, the Forest Guards, the Traditional Rulers and Presidents General of various Town Unions, “to rise up to the occasion in defence of the Local Government Area and it’s various communities, from the unrelenting and marauding AK 47 wielding herdsmen littered at all the nooks and crannies of the area, bearing in mind that eternal vigilance is the price we all must pay for the security of lives and property.”
Sen Utazi used the opportunity of the latest to call on the Enugu State House of Assembly to, as a matter of urgency pass the Southern Governors Forum’s proposed anti open grazing bill into law in Enugu State, to forestall any future herders-farmers clashes in Enugu State, noting and warning that a bleak harvest awaits the public next year as farmers couldn’t farm this year as fear of herders’ attack pervades the whole farming communities in Uzo Uwani LGA and beyond.
EverydayNews calls for a more tactical and radical approach if the lives of the people is of any importance.
A stakeholders meeting to suggest best ways to handle this issue is not out of place.
While the suggested anti open grazing bill is welcome, other local and internal measures must be adopted.
Whatever tactics and approach that has been innplace before now is surely not working and something must be done to stop these killings.
The killings are becoming more regular and even under reported in the media.
Vilaggwrs are living in fear and cannot even access their farms.
This is unacceptable. And it is the duty of all major stakeholders across the state to rise and find a lasting solution with these herders.
A stitch in time…
