— Condemns suspect fulani herders invasion
By Nwogha Ndubuisi Andy
Sequel to the resurgence of attack on Enyigba of Abakaliki council Area by suspected warlords from Enyibuchiri in Ikwo LGA,Ebonyi State, the national president, Izzi Youth Forum,Comrade Ben Nwovu has called Ikwo people living in all parts of Izzi land to feel free as they are in safe hands.
He made the call on Thursday 4th June, 2021 while briefing newsmen at his Abakaliki state Secretariat.
Comrade Nwovu described the fresh attack on the people of Enyigba as disheartening and worrisome, where two brothers resort to belligerency for nearly a no-just cause.
He pointed out that the two clans have for immemorial lived as brothers,hence, inter marry and have been engaging in various forms of activities.
The national president, however, condemned the babaric attack of suspected fulani Herdsmen who invaded and killed some Izhi people living in boundary community of Benue State.
His statement reads this:
“This briefing became pertinent owing to the increasing insecurity in Nigeria, particularly in Izzi clan.
“Recall that on the wake of 30th May,2021, suspected Fulani herdsmen invaded, attacked and murdered some Izzi people living in Ado LGA of Benue State.
“Obviously,the level of destruction of property, numbers of persons murdered and/or injured are not ascertainable, especially as the number of the dead continues to be found in the bushes , and the injured keep trooping into hospitals among Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki. However, at the moment,over 80 persons among men, women and children have been murdered in cold blood by these brutal herdsmen.
“I therefore,on behalf of Izzi Nnodo Youth Forum,condemn with heavy heart and in it’s strongest terms these dastardly, senseless,and brutal acts of the suspected fulani herders and hereby, call on the relevant security agencies to do the needful by bringing the perpetrators to book, particularly as we the peaceful Izzi clan cannot resort to insurrection.
“In another development, it is disheartening and completely worrisome as two brothers would resort to belligerency for nearly a no-just cause. Izzi and Ikwo People have for time immemorial lived as brothers, hence, the inter-clan marriages and common engagements in social, cultural and economic activities.
“Let me express my deepest hearty dissatisfaction of this inferno. Izzi people are known for peace and we shall continue to be known for it. We cannot take laws into our hands especially now that government intervention is very glaring. I enjoin our brothers to embrace peace because for every good reason,we need each other. We assure all Ikwo People living in any part of Izzi land to feel free with us as they are in safe hands.
“We, however, frowned at the babaric act of Ambassador Benjamin Emerike who is said to hail from Alike Ikwo for politicizing the killing of Izzi people and his ultimatum on the executive governor of the state to release the arrested stakeholders or storm Abakaliki for protest.
“May I sincerely thank His Excellency,the governor of Ebonyi State,Engr. Dr David Nweze Umahi for meddling into the situation.Also worthy of recognition in this peace process are the efforts of the Deputy governor of Ebonyi State,His Excellency Barr Eric Kelechi Igwe,the Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Ogbonna Francis Nwifuru,the council chairmen of Abakaliki and Ikwo Local Government Areas,Chief Emmanuel Nwangele and Hon Stephen Orogwu respectively,and many other stakeholders from both clans.
“My thanks also goes to the Izzi Nnodo Youths especially those from Enyigba community for their proactive efforts in ensuring territorial integrity.
