•5 persons confirmed dead, 3 kidnapped, many injured
•Agwa Central Union, traditional ruler, cry out for government intervention
There is fear and tension in Imo State following the brazen attack on Agwa Community in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State on Wednesday by suspected armed Fulani herdsmen.
Report says the herders who were armed with sophisticated arms forcefully took over farmlands and major roads in the area.
A source disclosed that the herders, on invaded the Oil-rich community, killing not less than five indigenes of the clan and wounded others. It was also gathered that about three persons were kidnapped by the hoodlums that same day, and the victims are still in the custody of the assailants.
It was gathered that the herders, who were formidably armed, started action at Umuekpu town in Mbano Agwa autonomous community, where they shot one young man dead and wounded others, including the elder brother of the man killed.
It was also said that the herdsmen killed four persons, including a young woman and Okada riders, who were going for their normal businesses along Okwu Ogbaku road.
It could be recalled that about two weeks ago, armed herdsmen launched a serious attack on parts of the clan, Umuekpu and Obeakuma towns, where they mercilessly shot a pregnant woman and others, who are still receiving treatments in different hospitals.
Another source from the community, who also spoke to newsmen, said that since the past two years, the people of Agwa have known no peace as a result of the incessant attacks and kidnapping by the herders.
They were said to be kidnapping people along the major roads leading to the clan, particularly Amakohia Ubi-Agwa road, Obibi Ogbaku- Agwa road, Okwu Ogbaku- Agwa road and Ejemekwuru- Agwa road.
The source disclosed that the herdsmen, who were also accused of rapeing women in the bush, adopted different strategies during operations. Prominent among them is blocking the road with their cows, so that any vehicle or motorcycle that gets to the point must slow down or park.
This method, according to the people, makes it possible for them to kidnap, attack, rob, and even rape the female ones easily, saying that they move around with dangerous weapons, including AK47 guns and marchetes.
The source further disclosed that the herders had not only taken over their farmlands, but also destroyed their crops in their farms.
According to him, the people no longer go to their farms for fear of being attacked or kidnapped by herders, who move from one place to another, searching for the people.
It was revealed that more than twenty persons have been kidnapped in the area by Fulani herdsmen since January this year, and they were released after payment of huge amount of money as ransom.
Our reporter was informed that the herders, who come out on daily basis, particularly in the night, shooting sporadically to intimidate the innocent people, allow their cows to destroy crops and other economic trees people planted in their compounds. This has sent shockwaves through the people of the community with some residents fearing to live in their homes.
An eye witness, who wondered why herdsmen still operate in the area after having a serious problem with the community some time ago, said: “These wicked people called Fulani herdsmen, attack, rob and kidnap our people every day. It’s not that we harass or intimidate them here. Our people don’t go to farm again because of them. They are everywhere in our farmlands. I therefore want to use this opportunity to call on the government of Imo State under the watch of His Excellency, Senator Hope Odidika Uzodimma, and the security agencies in the state, to come to our rescue.
“They shouldn’t wait for the time the youths of the Clan and the herdsmen will clash, because it must happen if this continues. The youths cannot continue to tolerate this. The government and the security agencies should come and drive them out of Agwa and it’s neighborhood. That will be the only solution to the problem.”
When contacted for reactions, the traditional ruler of Mbano Agwa autonomous community, HRH Eze Sylvester Onuegbu, condemned the action of the herdsmen in strong terms. He expressed regrets over the operation of the headers in the area, as he confirmed that the herdsmen had killed many innocent people in the community since they came to the place.
The traditional ruler equally said that farmers in the community no longer go to their farms because of the activities of the herdsmen, who attack and kidnap his people regularly, adding that it has subjected them to untold hardship and hunger.
On the effort made so far to address the problem, he said that they had reported the matter to the appropriate quarters, including the state and local governments, the Police, the DSS, and other security agencies in the state. He also disclosed that they had written the leadership of the Hausa (Northern) community in the state, informing them of the wicked action of their brothers in the area.
He said that after the movement some months ago, the herdsmen left the place, and wondered why they returned to the area to wreck more havoc.
Eze Onuegbu however seized the opportunity to draw the attention of the government and security agencies to the latest developments. He wondered why the Fulani herdsmen should be molesting, robbing and attacking them in their fatherland, and called for quick intervention of the government and other relevant authorities before it gets out of control.
Also reacting, the national leadership of Agwa Central Union (ACU) also condemned in strong terms the incessant attacks and kidnapping of Agwa people by armed herders, saying that they should not only stop the wicked act, but also leave Agwa land immediately.
The ACU, in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday , equally called on the government of Imo State led by Senator Hope Odidika Uzodimma, the executive Chairman of Oguta Local Government, Hon. Ifeanyi Nnani, the Nigerian Army, the DSS, the Police, other security agencies and relevant authorities, to intervene in the matter by driving the killer herdsmen out of Agwa communities.
By Anthony Ogbekile
