Ogbonna Casmir, Enugu
The Enugu State Government has declared a two-day fasting and prayers to seek God’s intervention following the invasion of Ukpabi Nimbo in Uzo-Uwani by suspected Fulani herdsmen killing no fewer than 48 persons and destroyed properties worth millions of naira.
The state governor, Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi declared the prayer during his visit to the community Tuesday.
The governor who broke down in tears upon sighting a fresh corpse of one, Ugwu Ogbu said to be a teacher from Enugu Ezike in Igboeze North council but posted to Nimbo community which was recovered by villagers this morning also donated the sum of five million naira as immediate relief to the area as economic activities were totally shut down.
Loading ...Also, villagers have deserted the entire community as economic activities were shut down to the point that even students taking part in the ongoing WAEC exams could not do so on Tuesday.
Most of those who sustained life-threatening injuries are presently receiving treatments at different hospitals including Royal Cross hospital, Bishop Shanahan and Nsukka District hospitals. One of the injured, a young man who just passed out of the NYSC program earlier in the month has been referred to National Orthopaedic hospital Enugu, while two others were referred to Park Lane hospital Enugu.
The governor who visited the Ukpabi Nibo community as well as the three hospitals were injured persons are receiving treatments in the company of Senator Chuka Utazi representing Enugu North senatorial zone, the GOC, 82 Division, Major General Ibrahim Attahiru, the Police Commissioner, Nwodibo Ekechukwu among other security chieftains undertook to take care of the hospital bill of those receiving treatments at as a result of injuries sustained during the attack.
“We are going to seek for God’s intervention in this matter. Itmis my belief that this too will pass away. The entire peoplemof Enugu state are with you in this moment of grief,” the governor said.
The governor who further explained that upon receipt of the report that there were plans to attack the community by the herders said to be coming from Nasarawa state, an emergency security council meeting was summoned on Sunday where far reaching decisions were taken to ensure that lives and properties were protected.
“A combined team of police, soldiers, civil defence operatives were despatched to the community but on Monday, we heard that they still carried out the threat resulting in the situation we are presently facing. No matter what, we are hopeful that God will save us from the present situation that’s why I’ve declared fasting and prayers in the state for the next two days,” he told the people.
The governor who also visited the traditional ruler of Nimbo community, Chief John Akor lamented the loss of lives and destruction of properties as well as the setting ablaze of the Christ Holy Church, Onueke Nimbo by the attackers. While suing for peace, the governor assured the people of the community and the state at large that efforts were being made to find a lasting solution to the problem. He appealed to the people especially the young men not to take laws into their hands by engaging in any form of reprisal attack.
In a remark, one of the community leaders, Dr Ajokwu George appealed to the state government to come to their aid as their community had become a hunting ground for the herders.
“We are not really happy because our community is under threat, we have been burying our loved ones. We are more worried because in this case, we even alerted the security that these people were planning to attack us but nothing was done. As we speak, we’ve recovered over 20 corpses and we are still recovering more. Several others are in the morgue and in the hospitals. What did we do to deserve this. We are really pleading that something be done. Our women have been raped and killed and nothing has happened.
“What has happened is just a tip of the iceberg because we know they will come again. The way they invade our community and rape women before their husbands is worrisome. We need security here not just for a day or week but for months to protect us. We thank you for coming to empathise with us and we want you to deliver our people from this problem,” he said.
