The people of Aguleri, Anambra State of South-East Nigeria, have cried out over the invasion of their villages by neighbouring Kogi State in the country’s North-Central region.

“They have sacked two of our villages as at yesterday. They have also burnt our schools and churches as at yesterday. WE cannot hold Easter service or celebrate Easter feast with our love ones in that part of Aguleri,” Phil Chinwuba Esq., General Secretary Aguleri Foundation of UK, lamented last night.

According to Chinwuba, “The Igwe of Aguleri, HRH Igwe C.N Idigo has asked the COP (Commissioner of Police) of Anambra State and The Army Area Commander, how long will Aguleri fold their hands and watch Kogi State invade Aguleri with suspected Boko Haram Militants. WE have received no answers.”

The Aguleri Foundation of UK General Secretary warned that their patience was being over-stretched and could snap at any time. Below is an excerpt of a message he posted to several online communities on the issue:

“I wish to inform NdiIgbo that contrary to stupid statements by some people: that Aguleri people are capable of defending themselves, our properties, our women, elderly and children. WE have done it in the past against most of our aggressive neighbours and the result is self evident of our powers to rise to the occasion when pushed to the walls.

“We have held back in this instant case because we knew what the game plan of Kogi state and their govt are and we have refused to fall into their traps.

“Before the great floods of last year, The National Boundary Commission and the Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation acting on the committee set up by the President headed by the Vice President submitted a recommendation on the issue for proper boundary demarcation to the President taking into consideration all historical and legal facts of the land in question and occupation. The President authorised a physical inspection of the land, Anambra, Enugu and Kogi States govt were duly represented including representatives from the affected towns including Aguleri and Igala people. During the physical inspection, at a stage the Igala people pulled out of the exercise b/c their facts were not adding up, they refused to participate further till date. The exercise could not continue and attempts at re-starting it were further hampered by the great floods.

“The recent attacks by Kogi State govt on Aguleri people were very well planned at a time our people were returning to settle down after the floods.

“The Nigerian Army personnel were only guiding the Orient Oil facilities. Kogi State govt has continued to push mobs into Aguleri Otu as they have continue to arrive in lorries with heavy weapons.

“They have sacked two of our villages as at yesterday. They have also burnt our schools and churches as at yesterday. WE cannot hold Easter service or celebrate Easter feast with our love ones in that part of Aguleri.

“The Igwe of Aguleri, HRH Igwe C.N Idigo has asked the COP of Anambra State and The Army Area Commander, how long will Aguleri fold their hands and watch Kogi State invade Aguleri with suspected Boko Haram Militants. WE have received no answers.

“Kogi State’s plan was to cause a war with Aguleri so that Federal Govt would declare that area and place it under Emergency Rule. Kogi State plan were for the Army to open fire on them as they have been touting the army officers sent to protect Orient Oil facilities. These are open verifiable facts. Such action would stop the activities of Orient Oil and Aguleri people use of their land for farming and fishing. This is simply the core reason, Aguleri do not wish to fight back in the unholy and wanton destruction of our properties and uncalled aggression laced with hatred for what is not Kogi State land.

“Therefore, we have resorted on calling on the Federal Govt to restrain Kogi State govt and her people. They should leave Aguleri land b/c we cannot continue to fold our hands for fear of Emergency Rule. Kogi State govt cannot get an inch of our land by aggression and they are not capable of intimidating Aguleri.

“WE wish to make it abundantly clear to the Federal Govt that unless they restrain Kogi State govt, Aguleri people would have no other alternative than to use any means necessary to defend ourselves. “Our endurance has been tested to the limit and there is limit to what we can take from these uncircumcised bandits.

“WE have sent our cry for help to almost all the media houses in Nigeria. We have also sent an email to the Nigeria Ambassador in UK. If the Federal Govt does not act to stop Kogi State, Aguleri will stop them.”

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