From George Onyejiuwa, Owerri
Palpable fear has enveloped the Agwa community in the Oguta council area of Imo State, following the killing of five and the kidnapping of three members of the community by suspected Fulani herdsmen on Wednesday, June 4, who also forcibly took over sections of their farmland.
According to a dependable source, the Fulani herders, on Wednesday, June 4, invaded the oil-rich community, killing not less than five indigenes of the clan and wounding others. It was also gathered that about three persons were kidnapped by the hoodlums that same day, and the victims are still in their custody.
The source said that the Fulani herders, who were heavily armed, had first started at Umuekpu town in Mbano Agwa autonomous community, where they allegedly shot one young man dead and wounded others, including the elder brother of the man they had killed.
It was also gathered that the herdsmen had killed four persons, including a young woman and okada riders, at Okwu Ogbaku road.
It could be recalled that about two weeks ago, the herdsmen launched a serious attack on parts of the clan, Umuekpu and Obeakuma communities, where they had shot a pregnant woman and others, who are still receiving treatment in different hospitals.
Another source from the community, who also spoke to *Daily Sun*, said in the past two years, the people of Agwa have known no peace as a result of the incessant attacks and kidnappings 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 said, “The herdsmen, who have been raping our women in the bush, have always 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 makes it possible for them to kidnap, attack, rob, and even rape the female ones easily. They move around with dangerous weapons, including AK47 guns and machetes.”
He added, “The herders had not only taken over farmlands, but also destroyed our crops in farms. Our 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.”
*Daily Sun* learnt 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 amounts of money as ransom.
We were equally told that the herders, who come out on a daily basis, particularly at 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.
Similarly, another community source 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 anymore 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 its neighbourhood. That will be the only solution to the problem.”
The traditional ruler of Mbano Agwa autonomous community, HRH Eze Sylvester Onuegbu, condemned the actions of the herdsmen in strong terms. He expressed regret over the operation of the herders in the area, as he disclosed 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 serious hardship and hunger.
“We have reported the matter to the appropriate quarters, including the state and local governments, the Police, the DSS, and other security agencies in the state. We have also written to the leadership of the Hausa community in the state and informed them of the wicked actions of their brothers in the area.”
He said that after that action some months ago, the herdsmen left the place, and wondered why they returned to the area to wreak more havoc.
The monarch, 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, the national leadership of Agwa Central Union (ACU), which condemned the incessant attacks and kidnapping of Agwa people by Fulani herders, said 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, June 5, equally called on the government of Imo State, led by Senator Hope 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.
However, the spokesman of the Imo State Police Command, Henry Okoye (DSP), said following the June 4 Agwa incident, CP Aboki Danjuma has activated tactical teams and launched precision operations, including forest combing, to arrest the perpetrators. He assures residents that security has been fortified and investigations are in full swing.
