Terrorists In The South? Enugu Panics As Fulani Herdsmen Invades Communities

We have gathered from our reporters that fulani herdsmen armed with AK47 riffles have stormed Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State which has currently put the people of the community into great panic and unrest.

The herdsmen who reportedly invaded the council area about two weeks ago had allegedly destroyed crops in the farms and according to reports, they also raped village women who were working in their farms.

Agricultural and economic activities in the affected communities have been paused as a result of the violent activities of the herdsmen, while the local vigilante group in the area have been of no help due to the superior arms carried by the fulani herdsmen. In summary, the Economic activities of the communities have been paralyzed as a result of this.

Education9ja learnt that a retired police who lives in the area confronted two of the herdsmen who tried to invade his compound and the confrontation resulted to a brutal fight of which one of the herdsmen was killed.

Speaking on the incident, the Traditional ruler of Imeziowa Community of Ezeagu, Justice Eze Ozobu said the situation had become uncontrollable and that death and anarchy was befalling his people.

The Justice said,

“I do not know what government has done or any action taken by security operatives to checkmate the insurgency by the Fulani herdsmen. These people who we thought carry only sticks and machetes now carry AK47 rifles openly and we wonder where they got those guns from. 

“People no longer go to farm anymore and every one now lives in fear of these people. They come in and settle down as if it is their home, nobody is doing anything to stop them.

Talking about the shootings in the community, he said,

“In my own place, my brother who retired as a police officer, came out in the night and asked them what they were doing with guns they were carrying. At some point, he had to bring out his gun and shot two of them.”

Ozobu in addition lamented that failure of the government to take action on the crisis would result to tension and might develop into breakdown of law and order.

 Also, the President General of Ezeagu General Assembly in Enugu, Dr. Obiora Ozobu, spoke after a short meeting which help in the Local Government Area. He said they had a resolution to make an official complaint to Enugu State Government, after speaking with the local government chairman and the state House of Assembly.

“This is a very serious issue in Ezeagu and we shall make official entry with the police and also speak with the council chairman and elected political office holders and we shall also find out the position of the state House of Assembly in order to figure out how we are to go about it. 

“At a neighbouring town, a farmer was shot dead by these Fulani people and we have had three reported cases of rape of village women that went to their farm.

“The most frightening aspect of this problem is how and where they got those AK 47 rifles that they brandish openly. That means there is more to the cattle rearing that meets the ordinary eye. 

“It is not that we cannot defend ourselves or that we do not have what it takes to defend ourselves, but we are only trying to do this within the ambit of the law so that our actions do not worsen the already bad situation. 

“In Ezeagu, we do not sleep at night because they can come at anytime and begin to slaughter people.”

Fellow Education9ja readers, does this mean the attacks carried out on the northern part of the country is being extended to the southeast? Which way Nigeria? Let's hope this doesn't trigger an unexpected war.