CLO condemns latest Fulani herdsmen killings in Enugu
Mr Aloysius Attah, Chairman, CLO South East Zone in a
statement on Sunday, said “The latest incident that happened last Thursday at
Attakwu community, Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State few months
when Ndigbo were yet to get over the shock of the Nimbo, Uzo Uwani killings in
this same manner is callous, provocative, wicked, premeditated and smacks of a
clear intent to continue decimating a particular ethnic group even in their own
fatherland.
“This is pure act of barbarism and terrorism against the
people while the actors are emboldened to carry on in their ignoble role
because we were made to understand that some people own the country while
others are second class citizens.
“It will be recalled that at our Zonal Management Committee meeting held in
Enugu, we had condemned in strong terms
the growing incessant, unwarranted and unprovoked attacks on difference
communities by Fulani herdsmen and the Federal Government’s refusal to halt the
ugly development and their insensitivity to the cries of affected
citizens.
“We had noted that beside the massive killings at Nimbo, in
Enugu State, other cases have been reported at various parts of the South East
including at Amaoha in Ikwuano Local Government of Abia State where a Fulani herdsmen
was alleged to have pulled a rifle aimed at killing the traditional ruler of
the community and some of his subjects.
“In Ohafia of the same state, herdsmen have been reported to
have hoisted a flag declaring the area “Fulani Republic.” There have also been
several reports of highway robbery, kidnap, rape and murder attributed to
Fulani herdsmen.
“While we commend the Enugu State governor, Mr Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi
and the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese , Rt. Rev. Callistus Onaga for their
prompt and timely visit to the scene of the latest incident and their interface
with the people of the area to douse tension, we dare say that the situation
has turned desperate and also needs desperate solution to tackle.
*Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State visits Ndiagu,
Attakwu, Akegbe-Ugwu in Nkanu
“We say that enough is enough to this window dressing over the wicked and calculated acts of so called Fulani herdsmen. This has gone beyond calling for prayers, fasting and visiting Mr. President in flowing Agbada even when it is obvious that the same Mr. President has not shown any serious commitment in clipping the wings of this murderous group in their blood thirsty mission.
“Today it is in Attakwu while no one knows their next target
because as it stands now, various communities in Enugu State and other parts of
the South East have become endangered species.
“This is not the time to downplay or hide the activities of
the Fulani herdsmen operating in different communities. As a start, the governor of Enugu State
should immediately summon all the traditional rulers and President General of
all the communities in the state to ascertain the actual number of communities
harbouring the herdsmen in any form.
“The government should order for the immediate sack of all
the herdsmen operating in different localities except in designated Garki
market where few of them must be restricted to for the mean time before their
total flushing. Their settlements should
be destroyed immediately while they should be sent packing without further
delay. There is no point pretending that they are our friends when they have
clearly shown that they are killers without disguise.
“It has been established as a fact that some traditional
rulers enter into alliance for financial gains with some of the herdsmen in
some communities for their grazing. This ugly practice should cease henceforth
without delay while any one found breaching this directive should be severely
penalised.
“Enugu governor and other governors of the South East should
as a matter of urgency sponsor bills at the state Houses of Assemblies to
criminalise indiscriminate grazing while operation -stop –the- unwholesome
-activities of the herdsmen should be launched immediately.
“It is quite painful and disheartening that a seminarian, who would have played critical
roles in drawing souls to God when ordained should be mowed down in such grueling circumstances while the gory sight
of the other victims who may not actually survive the onslaught stare us in the face out of the heartless and
mean nature of the attackers.
“Proactive measures and intelligence gathering remains the
hallmark of the 21st century policing and security instead of reactionary and
after effect fire brigade approach.
“All hands must be on deck to ensure that this monster is
nipped in the bud while these merchants of death are routed from our soil once
and for all.
“Malcolm X during the Settler Racist Occupation had to tell
his fellow African Americans that “We have to fight them by all means possible.”
Raising voices of condemnation by several groups without requisite action by
the governors who are the chief security officers in their various states will
amount to exercise in futility.
“The time to act is now and never again shall our people be
allowed to die in this callous manner,” the statement added.
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