As I write this, Amagunze community in Nkanu-East LG, Okpanku in Aninri LG and Affa community in Udi LG all in Enugu State are at grave risk and danger of Herdsmen attack following ALLEGATION by the leadership of Miyetti Allah that some of their cows are missing in those communities.
Mere allegations. No proof. Just allegations by the Herdsmen.
In Affa Community, faced with the option of paying for the “missing” cows or herdsmen attack, the villagers have already paid 600,000.00 out of a ransom of two million naira demanded by Miyetti Allah.
Only last Sunday, Fulani herdsmen invaded a compound in Okpanku community in Aninri LG Area of Enugu State and inflicted heavy machete cuts on the security guard on duty, a development which the Police Command in Enugu State has confirmed.
The case of Amagunze community in Nkanu East is even more pathetic. The herdsmen reportedly wrote to the community to provide their “missing” cows along with their herders or face death. I personally visited Amagunze last night. I am still not far from the community even as I type this. I have previously confirmed the authenticity of this report from multiple sources within the state govt and Ohaneze Ndigbo, Enugu chapter. The state Ohaneze President, Chief Alex Ogbonnia has equally released a Press Statement in this regard. It is the copy of the Miyetti Allah’s letter I am currently trying to get.
All efforts and series of meetings convened by the state governor with the leadership of Miyetti Allah have all proved abortive. A reliable source told me that in one of the meetings called by the state govt, the Miyetti Allah group simply snubbed the govt. The state govt has put the entire security Agencies in the state on notice but we know the security guys and the herdsmen are all putting their goal in the same goal post. Recall how the governor notified them before Nimbo killing and even gave them monies for logistics yet, they withdrew their personnel from Nimbo to enable the herdsmen have a filled day.
HOW DO WE PROTECT IGBO LAND FROM THESE BARBARIANS????
NB: don’t come here to point accusing fingers. Resist that temptation. Come up with PRACTICAL suggestions please.
Written by Charles Ogbu.
