The Ohanaeze Youth Council, OYC, has called on Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mba to have a round table discussion with President Generals and youth leaders of Enugu Ezike axis, Uzowani, Ezeagu, Udi, Opi-Nsukka and Eha-Amafu community over the alleged herdsmen and gunmen invasion in the communities.
They also advised the youth leaders to mobilize for self-defense in the state.
This was disclosed on Monday in a Release signed by the OYC National President, Comrade Igboayaka O Igboayaka, and made available to our Correspondent.
The release reads:
“There has been a recent outcry over the spate of heinous crimes committed by herdsmen and other gunmen in Enugu State, with specific reference to the Enugu Ezike axis, Uzowani, Ezeagu, Udi, Opi-Nsukka and Eha-Amafu. Over the years Eha-Amafu has witnessed over three times of attack, resulting in loss of lives and arso.
“Comrade Igboayaka O Igboayaka, the national president of the Ohanaeze Youth Council(OYC), has made an urgent appeal to the Executive Governor of Enugu, His Excellency Peter Mba, to convene an emergency meeting with all Community President General and all Community youth leaders within 7Days, stressing that he will be held accountable if any further lives are lost in Enugu State due to the actions of gunmen and criminal herdsmen.
“It has become a matter of necessity that only indigenous people in every community are able to protect themselves from external or internal invaders.
“Gov. Peter Mba has the critical task of ending the kidnapping of Igbo travelers on Opi-Nsukka road, Udi, Ezeagu, Enugu-Ezike and mass killings at Eha-Amafu. The perpetrators, armed men/herdsmen, exploit the Enugu-Benue border, taking victims from Opi-Nsukka to the Benue forest, while others are held in the Ezeagu forest, spanning Udi and Ezeagu.
“It is imperative that the Enugu State Governor Peter Mba summons a confidential meeting with Community PG’s and Youth Leaders from all Enugu communities to map out a plan for safeguarding farmlands, lives, and properties.
“The meeting will strictly involve the village, community and President General for the development of further security frameworks tailored to the needs of various communities on how to protect themselves.
“The meeting will take place simultaneously or differently across each of the 3 Senatorial Districts, with the full presence of Senators from each Zone.
“The Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) under the leadership of Comrade Igboayaka O Igboayaka will provide specific tactical intelligence security support through its team to ensure each community develops the optimal local security template for various communities.
“The Enugu neighboring boundaries between Kogi and Benue have been compromised by Herdsmen Invaders and Gunmen. This route is the most susceptible to external invasion into Alaigbo.
As the Chief Security Officer in Enugu, Gov. Peter Mba should prioritize the appeal and respond without delay.
“Governor Peter Mba should prevent further rhetorical condolence messages or mass burials in Enugu State by paying attention to this pre-information.
“The security situation in Nigeria has deteriorated to the point where self-defense is now the only feasible option and necessary step to address the insecurities in Igboland. The Director General of the State Security Service (SSS) or DSS has recently suggested that Community youths should take on the responsibility of safeguarding their farmlands, properties, and lives.
“The onus is on Igbo youths from diverse communities to awaken to their responsibility of ensuring the safety and security of Igbo travellers, our mothers, fathers, and young women working in farmlands, acknowledging this commitment as their primary duty.”
