Residents of an Enugu community, Agu Obodo of Obeagwu Ozalla in Nkanu West Local Government Area, have protested the arrival of over 200 Fulani herdsmen and their cows in the area.
The panicky residents said they were overwhelmed by the arrival of over five trucks that were loaded with the herdsmen, their families and cows.
The residents urged the “strangers” to leave their land within three days because they could no longer go to their farms.
President-General of Ozalla Development Union (ODU), Chief Afam Ani, who led the protesting women, youths and traditional rulers, said the arrival of the herdsmen at the weekend caused serious anxiety among the people.
The community leader said residents living close to their farms abandoned them and took refuge in other parts of the town.
He told reporters that when the herdsmen were queried, they claimed to have been evicted from their previous settlement at Maryland in Enugu South Local Government Area and decided to resettle at Ozalla.
Ani said the residents had reported the matter to security agencies, the local and state governments to evict the herdsmen.
The community leader recalled what he called an ugly experience the community had with the herdsmen in 2012 when they allegedly attacked, raped and destroyed property.
He said: “There should be no doubt whatsoever that what we are faced with is the forcible invasion of our homeland by Fulani herdsmen who are likely armed with dangerous weapons. We consider this act to be extremely provocative and totally unacceptable to our people.”
The community leader said the herdsmen agreed to vacate the community within three days, adding that he had pleaded with security agencies to enforce the agreement.
A traditional ruler of one of the autonomous communities in Ozalla, Igwe C. O. Okafor, described the development as embarrassing.
The monarch said the herdsmen did not consult the community, either themselves or by proxy, before moving into the community.
He urged the government and security agencies to evict the herdsmen because of the security threat they posed to the community. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Enugu Governor should replicate what Ekiti state government did to ensure security of lives and property of Enugu people. A stitch in time saves nine. Fulani Herdsmen attack is eminent, security should be guaranteed or people will take laws into their hands. Enugu people should protect themselves because this PMB administration cannot fight his foot soldiers (fulani herdsmen).......agha akala aka adighi eli nwa ngworo...,...
ReplyDeleteEnugu and their useless governor are not behaving like real Igbos. How can Fulani people be chasing you out of your community. If you cant fight this war alone why not engage other Igbo community. Must you fight alone.
ReplyDeleteMy Dear pple of where pls go and buy yourself the same gun they have and from the same market and stop making cowardly noise and protest> find out how the Gwaris and the pple of southern kaduna find themselves where they are today. i do not know when the IGBOS started being afraid of the fulani to the extent of protesting their arrival. there is no free land in eastern nigeria. communities own land and also individuals, on whose land did they land -aso rock? Any way, ur Gov will visit ur community in company of the IGP and weep over ur bodies; i wish luck.
ReplyDeleteEnugu state governor, this is the time to act, so dat you don't start crying later. Make haste while d sun shines. Act now. Act fast.
ReplyDeleteFrom today every Enugu man is a coward to my understanding
ReplyDelete