Dons Eze
AGAIN, HERDSMEN ATTACK NIMBO, MANY KILLED, OTHERS INJURED: PETER OBI MOURNS
Nimbo community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State has again come under attack by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
The attack which occurred late Sunday evening, claimed some lives, with many others critically injured.
Sources disclosed that the herders attacked mourners at Ugwuijoro Nimbo community, leaving behind tears and sorrow.
Some of those killed were identified as Okeh Simon Ugwu Oruku, Okeh Chukwuebuka, Julius Ogbonna Odiegwu and Gabriel Ugwor Ezea.
A gruesome video Monday morning showed a deserted community.
The voice in the video cried out that the invaders took the villagers by surprise and shot sporadically at the mourners.
Tables and chairs could be seen scattered in the compound where the mourners had gathered, with lifeless villagers also seen in the pool of their blood.
In 2016, herdsmen had attacked Nimbo, leading to the death of scores. The incident attracted a nationwide outrage.
Meanwhile, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has condemned the killing of some persons in Nimbo.
Obi, in a post via his X account on Monday, described the killings as senseless and called for an end to the incessant killings and attacks across various locations in the country.
The former Anambra State Governor noted that the area has suffered from repeated attacks, and the government and security agents need to take urgent steps to prevent further killing of innocent and harmless Nigerians.
While commiserating with the victims of the attack, Obi stressed the need to prevent future re-occurrences.
He said: “I just read reports of yet another senseless killing of harmless and defenseless villagers in Uzo Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu state over the weekend. I find the report very disturbing especially recalling that these terror-mongers have continued to unleash terror on the people of Uzo-uwani over the years.
“Uzo Uwani is one of the areas I have closely related with and remained supportive to. I am pained by how these attacks have made the people of the area to live in constant fear of terror and death.
“I recall that in 2015, a hostel of one of the best secondary schools in that area, Mater Amabilis, Adani was completely razed by fire, and the students were without a hostel.
“When I read the reports, I quickly intervened, rebuilt the hostel and handed it over to the School Management by March 2016. A month after that, the people of Nimbo Community in the same Uzo Uwani were senselessly murdered, and this attracted national attention.
“I attended their funeral alongside the Former Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. I helped in consoling and rehabilitating the victims. My heart, again, goes out to the people of Uzo Uwani who have continued to experience these incessant attacks.
“We must not allow further spilling of the blood of innocent Nigerians under any guise. Enough must now be enough. The government should show visible commitment to the security of lives and property of the Nigerian people.
“Uzo Uwani local government area of Enugu state is the main agricultural bed of the state and the continued insecurity there will have far-reaching consequences on food production in the state.
“Security agencies should be proactive especially as this area has become prone to these attacks and take necessary actions to avert future occurrences.
“I sincerely commiserate with the people of Uzo-uwani who lost their loved ones to this cruel attack and indeed all the many victims of insecurity in our nation.“May God Almighty grant eternal rest to the dead, grant quick recovery to the wounded and heal our land bleeding profusely from insecurity.
