Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, has asked the General Officer Commanding 82 Division of the Nigerian Army and the Enugu State Commissioner of Police to relocate to Eha-Amufu in Enugu State to put an end to the villagers’ senseless murders.
The Igbo group also voiced outrage over media claims that the Fulani herdsmen purportedly responsible for the massacre of scores of Eha-Amufu indigenes were aided by the people of Benue State.
Anaedoonline.ng claimed that in the most recent attacks, no fewer than 50 people were killed in less than two months, with the most recent occurrence on December 8 claiming the lives of 25 Nigerians.
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According to survivors, the Fulani herders who carried out the killing were aided by their Benue neighbors.
Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, said in a statement on Wednesday that the charges were unacceptable.
Okwu encouraged Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom to put his people to order.
He said, “it is saddening that the same Benue people who have been major victims of herdsmen attacks are now aiding the same people to slaughter defenceless and innocent Enugu indigenes merely because they want to take over some lands.
“We say that this is unacceptable, disheartening and there must not be a repeat of such carnage. We call on Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State to call his people to order.
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“The Igbo youths are enraged over these allegations and we won’t let it slide. We know Governor Ortom as a defender of his people against these killers and this is why we find it ironic that the same people are now aiding and abetting the killer herdsmen.
“We can’t doubt the media report because the people of Eha-Amufu know their Benue neighbours one-on-one; so, it can’t be said to be a case of mistaken identity.”
Okwu, who also chastised security services for failing to protect the Eha-Amufu people, found it unusual that such killings had gone on for almost two years without a single arrest.
“Are the killers spirits? Are they armed more than the Police and the Army?
“How many more people will die before an end is put to this? We ask that the GOC and the Police Commissioner should relocate to Eha-Amufu; they should do so provided this carnage is brought to an end.
“Enough of this bloodbath; enough of the excuses,” Okwu stated.
Meanwhile, Rt. Hon. Chief James Oche, Chairman of Benue State’s Ado Local Government Executive Council, has refuted accusations that his people assisted with the accused herdsmen who attacked the Eha-Amufu community.
He claimed that the people of the LGA had no reason to and could not have colluded with gunmen or herdsmen to launch an attack on the people of Enugu State.
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