As suspected Fulani kill 27 in Ebonyi
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Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has condemned the attack on some communities in Ishielu Local Government Area of the state by suspected gunmen.
The attack took place on Monday night in Nkalaha, Obegu, Amazu, Nkalagu and Umuhuali Autonomous Communities.
27 killed in Ebonyi
Also on Monday night, 27 persons were reportedly killed when gunmen suspected to be herders attacked the people of Nkalaha, Obegu, Amaezu and Umuhuali communities in Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Governor David Umahi and some local officials described the attacks as a reprisal. The governor had admitted that two Fulani herdsmen were killed by the locals about a year ago.
He said those behind the killing of the herdsmen had been arrested and wondered on the real reason behind the latest sporadic attacks on villages.
However, Fulani leaders in Ebonyi have denied the attacks insisting that they were not aware of what happened.
Our correspondent reports that a priest serving with the Methodist Church and many others went missing after the attack.
The locals said most of those killed during the night raid were farmers, motorcyclist operators and travellers.
Although the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police, Mr Aliyu Garba, was yet to make an official statement on the incident, it was learnt that the deputy commissioner of police in charge of operations had been dispatched to the area.
Attack devastating – Umahi
Reacting shortly after visiting the affected areas, Governor Umahi said he was shocked and devastated.
“I got the shocking news this afternoon about the attack on four communities of Nkalaha, Obegu, Amaezu and Umuhuali by AK-47 wielding herdsmen.
“I remember that about a year ago, we had the incident of killing of two herdsmen within this same location and immediately after the incident, security agencies, local government chairman and the community leaders all came together and condemned the attack and the killing. We immediately asked the security agencies to fish out the people behind the attack.
“As we speak, they are standing trial in Ebonyi State and the community and security agencies appeased the herdsmen and made peace with them.
“So, it is very shocking that overnight, all the herdsmen in Ishielu vacated the council, which means that the local herdsmen in Ishielu are part of the conspiracy in killing our people.
“They vacated despite all efforts of my government, the governors of the South East and security agencies in giving them full protection not only in the state but in the entire region,” he said.
Umahi said they were tracing the attackers and would be apprehended.
“I will not disclose it but I am going to escalate the identities of the people to the highest authorities and we wait to see what they will do; but we condemn this attack. It is not only happening in Ebonyi…If it is allowed to go this way, it is capable of generating a serious civil war.
“I want to demand from the security chiefs to fish out these people because they are well known; they should fish them out to face the wrath of the law,” he said.
Killing of cattle responsible for latest attacks
In an interview with Tuesday, a former councillor in Egedegede community, Mr Vincent Ogbu, said the killing of a cow by the locals was the immediate cause of the latest attack.
He said the herdsmen stormed the communities between 6:30pm and 7pm on Monday.
“Yes, we had an issue with them (herders) because our village killed their cow. We are still negotiating knowing that there are crops worth millions of naira which they destroyed…Unknown to us, they were planning for a war.
“When they came, they started shooting at Egedegede Development Centre and blocked the road. As I speak with you, women and children are relocating to neighbouring communities for fear of further attack,” he said.
When contacted, one of the leaders of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in the state, Haladu Muhammad, said: “I am not aware of the incident, I just heard about it but I don’t know the details.”
Umaru Muhammad, who is also a member of MACBAN in the state, denied having any knowledge of the incident.
“I was just called a few minutes ago over the incident and I don’t know much about it and I can’t say if it is our people,” he said.
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