Enugu killings: Ohanaeze raises alarm over invasion of Igboland
By Athan Agbakwuru
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Council of Elders has raised serious concerns over the recent repeated attacks and wanton killing of innocent Igbo people in parts of Enugu and Ebonyi states allegedly by heavily armed Fulani militia men describing the intermittent bloody attacks as ‘invasion of Igboland.’
Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Chairman of the Ohanaeze Elders, who made the disclosure on Thursday while addressing newsmen during a press briefing in Owerri asserted that something urgent needs to be done before the unfortunate situation degenerates into a worse security challenge.
He therefore called on the governors of the five Southeast states and the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndígbo Worldwide, Amb. George Obiozr to convene an emergency stakeholders meeting without any further delay to address the ugly security situation in the geopolitical zone.
“In the past few weeks, many parts of Igboland have experienced unprovoked attacks in some parts of Enugu and Ebonyi states. The case of Enugu is a clear invasion of Igboland by unknown people. Reports reaching my office confirms that innocent Igbo have been killed in their own homes, their houses destroyed, set ablaze and their property looted.”
Iwuanyanwu lamented that many Igbo, especially in the border towns with Benue and Kogi states have lost their lives while several others fled from their homes having been rendered homeless by the attackers pointing out that the situation has gone beyond tolerance.
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“Ohanaeze Council of Elders view this situation as a declaration of hostility against Igbo. Make no mistake about it, any attack on any Igbo man is an attack on all Igbo.
“I therefore request the chairman of the Governors Forum South East, Engr. Dave Umahi and the president General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwise, Prpf. George Obiozor, to immediately convene a meeting of South East political, religious, traditional and business leaders to find a solution to stop this ugly situation.
“Meanwhile, I also on behalf of the council of Elders recommend that the South East Governor’s Forum in association with Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide set up a relief committee to support all Igbo who have recently suffered from armed invasion by strange people and those who suffered due to flooding,” he added.
The Ohanaeze chieftain explained the Council of Elders would appeal to networth Igbo businessmen to donate to relief fund when the Relief Committee is created in order to alleviate the suffering of the victims of the attacks.
He added, “The burden of catering for the welfare of the affected Igbo may be too heavy for most state governments to cope with alone and therefore requires the contribution and assistance of Igbo men and women in business and the National Emergency Management Agency NEMA.
“In the interim we appeal to NEMA to immediately respond to the needs of those affected by these attacks. We also appeal to the Federal Government to take steps to stop these unprovoked and unwarranted violations of the rights of our people.”
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