Some members of Ugwuneshi community were arrested by unknown uniform
men
– This occoured after a clash with Fulani herdsmen
– The traditional ruler called on the Enugu state government to
intercede.
Residents of Ugwuneshi autonomous community in Awgu local government
area of Enugu state were thrown into disarray following the alleged
arrest of 76 members of their community by ‘men in uniform’.
It was reported that men were arrested following a clash with Fulani
herdsmen in Awgu where the community is situated which is a border
community with Lokpanta in Umunneochi local government area of Abia
state which hosts a cattle market.
Vanguard reports that Igwe Godwin Nwobi who is the traditional leader of
the community said the incident occoured on Thursday, March 17. He
claimed the herdsmen had settled in the community without permission and
had been using their cattle to destroy their crops and farmlands over
the years. He said members of the community pleaded with them to stop
but they refused.
Annoyed by the perceived impunity, members of the community protested
the use of their farmlands as grazing spot. He said after the protest,
information circulated that two women who went to their farms were
abducted.
Nwobi said: “When we got such information, the community gathered to
discuss modality of dispatching some people on rescue mission and
suddenly they were surrounded by men in military uniform who arrested 76
of them and carried them away in trucks.”
He urged the Enugu state government to see to the release of the
villagers.
“It is wrong for our people who fled the North because of Boko Haram to
be treated as slaves in their own land. We don’t want to be destroyed by
herdsmen like they did in Agatu, Benue State. Government should please
come to our rescue. We appeal to our Governor, and other South East
Governors to save Igbo land from herdsmen invasion before it is too
late.”
However, Major Sydney Mbaneme who is the public relations officer of the
14 Brigade Ohafia denied that soldiers were responsible for the arrest.
He claimed the supposed men in uniform could be fake soldiers in
camouflage.
Fulani herdsmen have been at the centre of controversy in recent times
over alleged killings and unleashing of terror to members of host
community especially farmers.
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PLEASE BE POLITE