Nigerian newspapers · 17 June 2020
Ohanaeze charges Igbo people to “ Rise up!” and defend themselves against herdsmen
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- Says, “We have been pushed to the wall”
The apex socio-cultural organization of Igbo people, Ohanaeze ndigbo, yesterday, rose against the menace of herdsmen in the southeastern region of the country. This was prompted by the recent killing of a 65-year-old farmer, Uzoemena Iriaka by suspected herdsmen in his farm in Umuekpu, Agwa, Oguta Council Area of Imo State.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo, therefore, charged Igbos to defend themselves as the killings in the region were becoming rampant. According to Ohanaeze, Ndigbo have been pushed to the wall by the rogue herdsmen who kill the people on an almost daily basis in their own home land.
“We have been pushed to the wall. We have no other option than to rise up now, gird our loins and face the seemingly intractable insecurity.”
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In the same vein, the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, COSEYL, has condemned the killing of the farmer, Uzoemena Iriaka, describing it as “gruesome and barbaric”. COSEYL stated that the people have had enough of the evil activities of the rogue herdsmen.
COSEYL insisted that South East governors must rise up to challenge the killer herdsmen now. They said, “This barbaric and gruesome killing must stop or the youths will call for revenge.” They also warned the herdsmen not to think that they have monopoly of killing and maiming, adding that “this barbaric and gruesome killing must stop.”
In a statement signed by Hon. Goodluck Egwu Ibem, the President General and Comrade Kanice Igwe, the Secretary General, COSEYL stated, “This is not the first time we are witnessing this kind of gruesome murder in Imo State and the South East zone in general, and at the end of the day, the Inspector General of Police will promise to fish out the perpetrators of the wicked act but nothing serious will be done about it.
“The herdsmen will go free, no arrest, no prosecution. They see themselves as super heroes who have license to kill at will in states that have governors as chief security officers.”
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Furthermore, in a statement by Emeka Attama, the media aide to the President General, Chief Nnia Nwodo; and Prince Uche Achi-Ogbaga, the publicity secretary of the Igbo apex body, Ohanaeze Ndigbo condemned the killing, warning that Ndigbo will no longer watch while their people are killed like animals in their own farms. They therefore urged the people to rise up and protect themselves.
“The rampant killing and raping of defenseless people in their homes and farms has made it imperative for people to take all measures possible to defend themselves from these hoodlums.
“Communities should organise themselves and fight back these killers. It is unfortunate that the Federal Government stripped people of their means of self-defense without providing adequate protection for them or ensuring commensurate disarming in the North, especially among herdsmen.
“The Southeast states should expedite action on measures to give their subjects hope of protection from these marauders. People, villages and communities, especially Ndigbo, should rise up to defend themselves individually and collectively from such marauding criminals more especially as they are said to be non-Nigerians.
“We just cannot continue to allow foreigners, who do not place any premium on the sanctity of human lives to come into our homes to kill us like rats. Igbo people should stop the complaints forthwith. “Guard and defend yourselves from senseless massacres. Cordon off your (track) roads to farms, streams and other places to avoid being taken unawares.
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Meanwhile, the lawmaker representing Oguta at the state House of Assembly, Frank Ugboma, has called for the arrest and prosecution of the herdsmen. He made this known yesterday in Owerri, days after the leadership of the Miyetti Allah pledged to pay compensation to the family of the deceased. According to the lawmaker, the people wanted more than just compensation for the victim’s family, but that his killers face the law.
He said, “The culprits should be apprehended and prosecuted. We are not just after compensation. We cannot continue to exchange our own for money. They should leave our farmlands. My people are predominantly farmers. We are calling for the arrest and prosecution of the killers.”