UNABATED FULANI HERDSMEN PROVOCATIONS & DESTRUCTIONS IN NENWE TOWN

Eleven  months ago the Nenwe community in Aninri LGA of Enugu State   was  in the limelight when they vehemently but peacefully resisted  fulani people  settling in their  farms  with hundreds of  cattles i their farmland. 

Many interpretations  were  given  to this  and the Federal government promptly  through the state government sent a delegation  of all the  service  chiefs in the  state  who went to the Igwe to 'muscle  out' (as we learnt) statements  to the press which indicated there were no problems  and that the fulanis  were living in harmony in the town. This  statements  that went on air  was later debunked  by the  youths  through the Punch newspaper two weekend after. The youths  pointed out many  reports to the police and pending court cases of  un honoured financial compensations, illegal occupation of 4 strategic points  of  the town, wanton destruction of their farm lands and harassments of women in  the farms  by fulani herdsmen. The whole world  and  the nation were told  other stories.

According to the complaints  from the community members  that spoke  to us recently the herdsmen took advantage of this apparent intimidation by the state security agencies  and Governor Ugwuanyi and have continued  to expand  and illegally occupy their farmlands. They are obviously  sure  of  immunity and impunity   therefore have been acting to the latter. Their  provocations  have been daily and the youths  have  continued  to restrain themselves  from taking unilateral actions.  They have complained  to the  community leaders  who  are  so frightened  by the  state security agencies storming of  the Igwe of one of the communities  last year in  what was said  to be  a 'mediatroty mission' . They have  complained that nobody has  come  to hear from them  and address their complaints the way  they rushed  to query why the cattle men were stopped  from settling.

Some months ago according to them, some fulani harassments  were reported  to the police  and when no actions  were taken and as usual  the news   wasn't even  reported by the press in Enugu in anyway  someone  in the community spoke  with an online social media group who highlighted  the problems. The only response was that the   community was  threatened  by the police command  of arrests  if  they discovered  the reporters  of  such news  of   harassments and destruction  by  by fulani men. Meanwhile the fulanis  claimed they lost a cow to unknown persons  and pressed that the community pays  for it. That would  be the first payment by anyone  since  history of  farm destructions  being reported. Now  it is  what the Igbos  call "beating me  and telling me not to cry"

Some  days  ago the provocations  and destructions  continued  and a woman in the farm was wounded  by these herdsmen. The people succeeded in catching one of  the herdsmen and handed him over to the police.

Now  it is  a clear fact that the fulani herdsmen have not relentened  in targeting the town and looking for confrontations  . The villagers  are abandoned  to themselves  since  they cant even report or when they report to the press they are threatened  by the security chiefs of the state, they youths  have  been very cool headed and disciplined in handling this  provocations  but would like the Governor  to intervene.

 They have made some points clear;

•  That they never leased any parcel of land  to the herdsmen.
• That Nenwe is  a 100% agrarian community in the Aninri LGA.
• That Nenwe town like other parts of the Old Awgu LGA  being an agrarian   community dosen not by culture permite OPEN GRAZING. All animals  must be in the owners  closed compound  or they are bound  to be hunted down.
• That they have hosted and tolerated cattlemen passing, even temporary brief overnight stays  (since many years) and they were relatively peaceful but cant cope anymore with these new violent and arrogant new breed of fulani herdsmen with guns.
• That  they don't see  why herdsmen should  be carrying openly AK.47 assultand battle  guns in the farms  and  community.
• That they gently ask all herdsmen to leave the farmland they are illegally occupying with threats of gun and rape of the women
• That the State government should intervene in their   removal from the lands before it results  to other problems. 
• That they continue  to praise the youths whom we are all aware of their temperaments and wort  for restraining themselves from misconducts  and for  being lawful in the face of these provocations.
• That the continue  to ask their neighbours to be vigilant and communicate movements of criminals.
• That the whole igbo people should be aware of these provocations in Nenwe that has escalated since 2019.

We hope  the state government would lend a listening ear to these cries.

OHANAEZE NDI IGBO WORLDWIDE SANCTIONS FULANI HERDSMEN.

May 2, 2016 By Duruebube

(34-POSITIONS & PRESENTATION OF CONCERNED IMEOBI MEMBERS)
RE: UNPROVOKED MASSACRE OF OUR PEOPLE AT NIMBO, UZOUWANI LGA, ENUGU STATE BY FULANI HERDSMEN , ON MONDAY, THE 25TH DAY OF APRIL, 2016,. 
OUR 34 POSITIONS:

1. We have viewed with grave concern, the reckless and callous attitude of the Fulani herdsmen, who had the effrontery to bring down their violence to our peaceful south-eastern states of Nigeria, by recently attacking our defenseless kiths and kin at Nimbo Community, Uzouwani, LGA, Enugu State, MASSACRED AND DISMEMBERED a lot of them, without any respect or value for human life.
2. These itinerant herdsmen have indeed drawn a line on the sand, and their actions and audacity will no longer be discountenanced. We must take steps to reduce the chances of re-occurrence of this kind of evil, again.
3. Surely, we will not do anything illegitimate to express our displeasure in the killings of our people in our own land, by these itinerant Fulani herdsmen.
4. Our people were killed for Cows; and Cows we shall detest!
5. We must express our disgust, in the modus operandi of the Security apparatus of this country. Security of lives and properties, have long been thrown into the winds, and people are dying like flies that encountered pesticide, and properties are being lost on daily basis from insecurity. Each time there is a heinous crime in this country, the security hierarchy will tell us that they will investigate and get to the root of the matter, and will bring the perpetrators to book, BUT no feedback of such investigations are ever heard again ad infinitum, examples abound. Till now we are still waiting to get report or feedback about the mystery multitude of corpses deposited at Ezu River, Amansea, Ugwuoba Enugu State few years ago.
6. Our confidence greatly dwindles, as we believe, from experience, that the circumstances surrounding this current MASSACRE of our people at Nimbo Uzouwani; has, from the date of the incident, commenced its journey to being swept under the carpet. The Security network of the country should be accountable, up and doing, so as to restore our confidence.
7. No reasonable person should try to politicize this issue of this ‘Nimbo Massacre’, by trying to make caricature of identity of the perpetrators of this heinous crime, which is well known to our people, to be the Fulani herdsmen.
8. The pains of the killings of our brothers and sisters at Nimbo, in this millennium, in the manner the herdsmen did it recently, will NEVER go, unless strategic sanctions follow. We can NEVER mourn our brothers with continuous patronage to the blood-suckers, and vandals who brazenly trespass our backyards and farmlands in the name of feeding their cows. They feed their cows with our farm produce, impoverishing our people with failed agricultural yields; and finally they sell their Cows to us, and also sell their Farm produce, from their own undisturbed farmlands to us. Yet, no appreciation whatsoever is accorded to our cooperation, rather they killed and massacred our people (their major customers).
9. We are not at war with the herdsmen, yet they treated us like this in our own country, and in our own land! 10. The intensity, frequency and ferocity of clashes between herdsmen and rural farmers especially in the North-Central and Southern Nigeria constitute a clear and present danger to our national cohesion. The number of deaths, burnt houses, rapes, and murder of citizenry are too gruesome to be acceptable to any government.
11. The present situation and development of killings of our people at Nimbo, is unacceptable, and an affront to the peaceful communities trying to irk out a living from subsistence farming in their own home.
12. Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo also maintains that cattle rearing is a private business like every other business. It is therefore an absurdity, an infringement and abuse of citizens’ right for any legislator or Federal Government to think of acquiring other peoples’ land, for other peoples’ business, as suggested by the Grazing Reserve Bill 2016 being discussed by the National Assembly. We therefore totally dissociate ourselves from that. Such idea is unjust, unconstitutional, discriminatory and unfair.
13. It also baffles us that the herdsmen are allowed to bear prohibited sophisticated firearms, and are NEVER arrested, while for other Nigerians it is against the law. Suffice it to say that justice demand that everybody should be given equal privilege in that regards; or they should be checked and disarmed as a matter of urgency, and publicly prosecuted accordingly. Concerned Imeobi Members of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, Worldwide therefore maintains as follows:

14. It is high-time our people are encouraged to defend themselves, “first”, before placing reliance on any other person; and should articulate themselves to wade-off any invader in future.
15. Our people should learn and imbibe the culture of being ready to defend themselves legitimately at all times, and at all levels; at least to offer reasonable defence, in event of any impromptu attack, as we the Igbos are vulnerable and are grossly endangered.
16. That the National Executive Council of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo MUST set up as a matter of urgency, a ‘Security & Strategic endurance Committee’, and a ‘Central coordinating Security sub-Committee on Town Unions, Vigilante groups and Neighborhood watchers’.
17. That we cannot mourn our kiths and kin, and the hostility against us in our own land by the continuous patronage of our assailants; hence ALL FAMILIES IN IGBO LAND SHOULD DE-LIST BEEF FROM THEIR MENU. There should be an outright indefinite suspension on the consumption of cow meat by any Igboman in Nigeria, even Cow SUYA. This should be one of the ways, we can mourn and remember our people that were massacred because of ‘common Fulani Cows’. In alternative, our people can go for the consumption of Igbo Specie of Cows, Goat, sheep, fowls etc.
18. There SHALL be no more use of Fulani Cows for any Ceremony like Burials, Funerals, Weddings, Marriages, Thanksgivings, Celebrations etc, in Igbo land.
19. Our youths should start as a matter of urgency to commence breeding ‘Igbo Cows’ for it to be used in place of Fulani cows in our ceremonies etc. Our Philanthropist should fund this project for the youths in their various domains.
20. Honour and respect should be accorded more to any man or family who uses ‘Igbo cows’ for his ceremonies, as he or she is the true mourner, of our dead brothers at Nimbo Uzouwani; and also the person with the best interest of Ndi Igbo at heart.
21. That our people who deal on these Fulani Cows should as true mourners of our dead brothers and sister, takes the needed steps to diversify their trade and de-emphasis Fulani Cow meat.
22. Our people who are hoteliers, should quietly de-list beef from their menu (Except if it is Igbo Specie of Cow), in our collective interest.
23. Ohanaeze Ndi igbo will need the cooperation of every Igbo family on the face of earth to achieve our goal; of eradicating blood thirsty vagabonds around us, who have no value for human life; especially by complying with the above stipulations.
24. Town Unions, Village and kindred formations, Neighborhood Watch groups and Vigilante groups are to discreetly sanction and surcharge anyone of us who purchases or slaughters Fulani cow in his domain for any ceremony within the South- East. Such persons should be considered Saboteurs of our collective interest as Ndi Igbo, should be handled as a Traitor , by their own kinsmen, according to their individual local traditions and culture. Any sanction should be done without infringing on any dissident’s right, but in line with the tradition and customs of the concerned locality.
25. He, who kills his customers, will no longer expect patronage; as he has killed his market! The Fulani herdsmen have overstepped their bounds in the South Eastern Nigeria, and they have killed their market with us; hence should find elsewhere.
26. All Igbo formations anywhere in the World, should rise up to condemn this attack on our peaceful home, and demand arrest and public prosecution of the perpetrators of this heinous crime against us. No Igboman or Woman, or group should shut up; Voice out!, Killings are taboo and abomination in our own land! It will NEVER be treated with kid glove!

27. That this massacre, is the first major massacre against the Igbo man in his own land since after the civil war ended in 1970. Hence 25th April, 2016 should be remembered by our people, as a mark of further aggression on our peaceful domain.
28. A day will be set aside for the mourning of our lost kith and kin who were slaughtered and massacred by the Fulani herds men, in our own land. On such day, all markets, shops, and private trades and corporate offices of any Igboman will shut down in solidarity. Professional groups like NBA in the South East, will be expected to join in solidarity, except those on essential services like NMA. And no Igbo man (except civil Servants) will visit any government office (except Hospitals) in Nigeria for any transaction, on the said date.
29. The State Houses of Assembly in all South Eastern states should as a matter of urgency pass a bill that will forbid any one from parading cattle across our farmlands, without being restrained, and without obtaining state issued license, and Local Government permits.
30. That the Fulani herdsmen should as a matter of urgency vacate our backyards and farmlands as their security is no longer guaranteed, because of their crime against us, and because of the prevailing distrust. Every person, village and groups should join hands and legitimately treat them like trespassers. They are violent trespassers, which ought not to be condoned; and they are also nuisance that ought to be abated.
31. Communities, businessmen and well meaning Igbo philanthropists should help equip and motivate the vigilante groups and neighborhood watches, in the South East.
32. We warn our people against any unwholesome attitude, of betraying our collective interest, especially those who might be gullible to the extent of receiving gratifications and conniving with the Fulani herdsmen for economic gains, to perpetually seed out the land of their people. Serious complaints have so far been received about the President General and Traditional Ruler of Igboariam in Anambra East LGA, Anambra State; and we expect them to watch their steps.
33. We know that some insensitive Igbo People, will try to make caricature of these sanctions, and flout it; but do not join them, for they shall, at the fullness of time, return to folk like the prodigal son.
34. Let Ndi Igbo start with the above position, and see to which extent it can carry us. Enough is Enough! God bless Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo! God bless the Igbo man !

– Presented by Concerned IMEOBI Members, of Ohanaeze Ndi igbo, Worldwide; during IMEOBI meeting of 1st May, 2016, held at National Ohanaeze Secretariate, No. 7 Park Avenue, GRA, Enugu

from....https://oblongmedia.net/2016/05/02/ohanaeze-ndi-igbo-sanctions-fulani-herdsmen-ohanaeze-ndi-igbo-worldwide/

Deportation: Ohanaeze condemns Police role, rejects Lagos govt’s explanation

on August 13, 2013   /  

By VINCENT UJUMADU

AWKA—THE Ohaneze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Monday, condemned the role played by the Nigeria Police in aiding the recent deportation of some Igbos from Lagos on the order of the state government.

Anambra State president of Ohanaeze, Elder Chris Eluemunoh, at a news conference in Awka, also faulted the explanation by the Lagos State Government on the matter, arguing that the deportation was an inhuman act aimed at insulting and embarrassing the Igbo race.

He said: “Ohanaeze must not fail to condemn the role of the Nigeria Police, who escorted the vehicle that brought the deportees down to Onitsha from Lagos. What a travesty of justice that security agents, who are paid from public fund to protect the rights of citizens were used to perpetuate the violation of the constitution they all swore to defend and protect.

“We urge the Inspector General of Police, IG, to investigate the role of his men in the despicable and illegal action of the Lagos State Government. Ohanaeze also totally rejects the explanations by the Lagos State Government in defence of her action and we ask whether the dumping and abandoning them under the bridge at Onitsha at midnight was the best way to return them to their homes for proper integration.

“Ndigbo and the people of Anambra State in particular rightly deserve an unreserved apology from the Lagos State Government, else it would be taken that her action was a calculated insult aimed at creating unnecessary friction between the Yoruba and Igbo, who have been living and working peacefully in Lagos for decades and contributing immensely to the development of the state.”

The organisation also faulted those blaming Governor Peter Obi for letting the president know about the development, noting that the governor’s action was a mature way of handling the vexatious action.

According to Eluemunoh, “Ohanaeze supports all the steps the governor had so far taken to seek redress for the degrading treatment meted out to Ndigbo, even as he appealed to Igbo people to remain calm and law-abiding.”

- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/08/deportation-ohanaeze-condemns-police-role-rejects-lagos-govts-explanation/#sthash.eJFAszLh.dpuf
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/08/deportation-ohanaeze-condemns-police-role-rejects-lagos-govts-explanation/

Police Commissioner Orders ‘Secret’ Arrest of Ohaneze Ndigbo President

By 247ureports

(Chief Tobias Idika, President, Ohaneze Ndigbo Kano)

The junta days of security intimidation of activists appears on the return in Kano State.

Information available to 247ureports.com indicates that the Police Commissioner in Kano State has ordered the ‘secret’ arrest of the President of Ohaneze Ndigbo – Kano Chapter, Chief Tobia Idika. As gathered, the DPO [Shaibu Bello] overseeing the Nomansland division near Sabon Gari Kano has been on a secret search throughout the Sabon Gari – in hunt for Chief Tobia Idika. Shaibu Bello is reported to be searching through the residences in Sabon Gari – in a manner – suggesting that he was in search for a common criminal.

When contacted as to why he [Shaibu Bello] was hunting for Chief Idika, he responded that “it is orders from above” – that the top bosses wanted Chief Idika arrested and brought in for ‘questioning’.

When Chief Idika contacted the Police Commissioner concerning the active/aggressive hunt by Shaibu Bello, the Police Commissioner, according to Chief Idika, yelled at the top of his voice – that he [Idika] “knows what to do“. The Commissioner dropped the line and hung up. When Chief Idika called again, the Commissioner told him to file a report.

Meanwhile, the Ohaneze leader who has been outspoken over the maltreatment meted out to the Igbo population in Kano, told our correspondent that he has been receiving death threats at a higher frequency since the Police DPO began hunting for him. ”I have been receving calls from an undisclosed number telling me that my days are numbered. The caller calls himself Dagogo“, said Chief Idika. He went to share a sms message he received on August 1, 2013 at about 1:44pm from +2348180689050 which reads “Very soon your chapter will close if you don’t run. Be warned“

Chief Idika has since contacted the Director of the State Security Services [SSS].

 http://247ureports.com/police-commissioner-orders-secret-arrest-of-ohaneze-ndigbo-president/