Herdsmen Massacre In Ebonyi: Irate Igbo Youths Blame Gov Nwifuru, Claim He Was Informed Days Before Bloodshed Occurred


By our reporter

Angry Igbo youths have berated Ebonyi State governor, Francis Nwifuru, over the murder of several citizens of the state by suspected Fulani killer herdsmen.

Indicting the governor, they alleged that they alerted him of the attack four days before the bloodshed,which occurred on Sunday, February 2 this year.

While official and police reports put the death toll at below 20, independent sources said up to 100 persons were killed by the herdsmen during the attack at Amegu Nkalaha community, Ishielu Local Government Area (LGA) of the South-Eastern Nigeria state.

The sources claimed that worshippers, including the pastor, at a branch of a popular church in the area were also murdered even as property worth millions of naira were destroyed.

The Igbo youths, under the auspices of Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), spoke in a statement issued on Tuesday, February 4, by the body’s national president, Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka.

The statement read in part: “Our findings indicate that Fulani herdsmen are expanding their presence in Ebonyi State, posing a significant threat of additional attacks, if Governor Francis Nwifuru remains inactive, which may lead to further loss of life in Ebonyi State.

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“Unfortunately, we have governors in South-East who are perceived as uncooperative regarding insecurity, demonstrating a lackadaisical attitude which has led to frequent incidents of killings, kidnapping, banditry and arson in the South-East.

“Evidently, Governor Francis Nwifuru has been ineffective in ensuring the safety of lives and properties in Ebonyi, raising concerns about his capacity, ability, and dedication to resolving the Fulani herdsmen violence in Ebonyi State.

“We trust that Governor Francis Nwifuru and his team will carefully examine the various locations mentioned in the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) press statement issued at Abakiliki on 29th January 2025.

“In the press statement, the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) proposed a solution to the insecurity in Ebonyi State, and we anticipate a responsible and responsive government to act promptly without delay or procrastination.”

Reacting to a press statement issued by president of the state chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Barrister Justice Chibuzora Okoha, which expressed support for Nwifuru’s administration,OYC regretted that such should not have emanated from an arm of the pan-Igbo socio-cultural organization.

They alleged that rather tell truth to power, some of the Ohanaeze leaders in the state were mere bootlickers.

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OYC said: “Regrettably, a defense and response on behalf of Gov Francis Nwifuru should not have emanated from Ohanaeze Ndigbo (parental body) Ebonyi State chapter, but rather from Gov Francis Nwifuru’s Commissioner of Information or SA on Media.

“Politics of stomach infrastructure has led Barrister Justice Chibuzor Okoha to compromise his socio-cultural responsibility to advocate for Ndigbo in Ebonyi State, instead becoming the spokesperson for Gov. Francis Nwifuru.

“I advise Most Distinguished Sen. John Azuta Mbata, the new President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, to caution Barr. Justice Chibuzor Okoha and his team who have already become stooges to Gov Francis Nwifuru.”

The OYC, which said it represents the interest of over 50 million Igbo youths, vowed not to accept any dereliction of duty from any state leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.


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