A sociocultural group, Igbo Patriots has urged the South East governors to be proactive in securing the lives and properties of Ndigbo.
The group made the call against the backdrop of the recent attack of residents of Ngbo community in Ohaukwu local government area of Ebonyi state by Fulani herdsmen barely 24 hours after the launching of the South East regional security, Ebube Agu.
The national coordinator of the group, Obumneke Ejimnkeonye Okafor who decried the attack by herders, in a statement, noted that “scores of people were killed, houses were burnt and many properties were destroyed. The latest attack has been described as unprecedented. Our leaders are still holding meeting and speaking grammar while our land bleed.”
He added: “While we commend Southeast governors for showing the will to protect its citizens and improve security in our region by setting up of Ebube Agu security outfit, we equally call on them to be proactive in securing lives and properties of Ndi Igbo. We have observed that there are some unclear points in the communique for establishing Ebube Agu security outfit which was released to the public on 11/04/2021.
“Point (12) on the comminique states that acting IGP and other security chiefs will invite leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo and CAN to find out the reason for increase of insecurity in Southeast. We want to know if Ohaneze Ndigbo and CAN have taken over the duties of DSS. Also, we want to know if Ohaneze Ndigbo and CAN are in charge of Fulani herdsmen who are ravaging our villages. Ndi Igbo want our governors to explain point (12) clearly.
“Point (14) states that open grazing has been banned, while point (15) calls for peaceful coexistence between herders and farmers. These are contradictions. Banning of open grazing has already solved the problems between herders and farmers because henceforth, we except to see herders with their cattle in ranches and farmers in farmlands. Our governors should be sincere and resolute in banning open grazing.
“Presently, Ebube Agu exists on paper. There are no trained personnel, patrol vans, security gadgets, etc for the new security outfit. That is why there was another attack after yesterday’s announcement. Moreover, no date has been stated to have the personnel and working tools ready. We do not believe that this is an oversight, thus we want to know the plan of the region or individual states in this regard. Is Ebube Agu a paper work? Action speaks louder than words, thus we expect to see our governors and Ebube Agu in action.
“Igbo Patriots is calling for non-inteference of external forces in activities of Ebube Agu in Southeast. Our politician leaders should not allow themselves to be used for indirect control of the new security outfit so that it will do its job well. We expect Ebube Agu to be like Amotekun in Southwest or better than it.
“Last but not the least, we expect Southeast governors to know that laws are not made by words only. They should initiate and sponsor bills banning open grazing by all state houses of sssembly in Southeast. It is only when that is done and defaulters brought to book that we will believe that open grazing has been banned. Also, the governors should cause the state houses of assemby to enact laws establishing Ebube Agu security outfit in all Southeast states.
“Ndi Igbo expect our governors to act fast. The patience of our people has been over stretched. We will hold you reponsible for any other invasion of Igbo community and killing of our people because of your negligence and inability to act accordingly.”
