? Demands action on recent Arondizuogu killings

As tensions have built up in Amakohia-Ubi Community, in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State following a deadly attack by suspected armed Fulani herders which left one vigilante leader dead while others remain missing or wounded, a charge has gone to the Imo state governor Mr. Hope Uzodinma to become resolute in implementing measures to stop these killings of Imo citizens.

Besides, HURIWA has asked the Imo state police Commissioner to brief Imo State citizens about how far the police have gone in apprehending the gunmen that invaded three communities in Arondizuogu, in Ideato North Local Government Area and slaughtered over two dozens of the citizens.

Specifically, the Rights group recalled that the Imo State police spokesperson had specifically identified the group from which the armed attackers belonged just as the Rights group wondered why for over three weeks the police in the State had made no breakthrough in their investigation even when the police affirmed knowing the killers. "We demand accountability on the part of the police whose duty it is to maintain internal security and to prevent the killings of innocent citizens of Imo state."

Making the observation is the leading pro-democracy and civil rights advocacy group, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), which lamented that armed Fulani insurgents masquerading as herders have been allowed free passage to many communities in Imo State which has resulted in deaths, destruction, barbarism and frustration of farmers whose farmlands are turned into grazing areas by the rampaging and lawless herders armed to their teeth. The law enforcement agencies in Imo State must be made to live up to their legal duties to the citizens otherwise the people should be allowed to find alternative way of defending themselves since the security agents have consistently disappointed the citizens by not preventing bloodletting violence that have been unleashed by different armed non-state actors.

HURIWA which highlighted the incident, which occurred on Wednesday evening around 6:30 pm, that sparked panic and a mass exodus of residents who fled to neighbouring communities for safety, the Rights group stated that it is totally unacceptable that the Imo State government which recently directed herders to stop roaming around the streets and strictly comply by the law that prohibits the destruction of farms, has been unable and unwilling to enforce these relevant laws to check the menace of invasions of farms by armed herders. "Letting armed terrorists to disrupt farming activities is antidote to mass hunger and starvation in the near future which Imo state government must implement effective deterrent mechanisms to stop the destruction of farms in Imo state especially by herders.

Making reference to a distraught villager, who identified himself simply as Mr Paul, who volunteered information to the media to the effect that the slain vigilante leader, identified as Monday Nwaozuzu, alias Ojo Ola, was gunned down during the confrontation, HURIWA has once more stressed the urgent need for efficient security measures to be activated to protect the citizens who have suffered several sustained violence by gunmen and herders.

"The dead, wounded, and missing persons are all members of our community vigilante group. Monday Nwaozuzu was killed by the herdsmen, while others are still missing or wounded. At least three members of the vigilante were caught up in the clash," Paul, who spoke with the media, said.

HURIWA asserted that another resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity with the media as reported, explained that the trouble started when vigilante members tried to prevent herders and their cattle from entering farmlands around the community college axis.

"It is routine for our vigilantes to guard our farms. Yesterday, they encountered the herders and asked them to turn back, but they refused. Unknown to our men, the herders were fully armed. Suddenly, they opened fire, killing Monday and injuring another. Since then, we have been combing the bushes, searching for those missing," the source recounted.

HURIWA emphasised that even as the community remains on edge as residents continue to flee, fearing further attacks from the rampaging herders, the Imo state governor should clearly inform the citizens of Imo state about the security preventive measures that his administration has put in motion to check these incessant attacks on communities by armed Fulani herders.

HURIWA asserted that it is regrettable that the Imo State police command has failed to prevent attacks on communities even as it noted that several communities have suffered constant invasion by all kinds of gunmen including terrorists, insurgents and armed herders with hundreds of people killed in the last three years with no hope that these freelance armed non-state actors would be arrested, prosecuted and punished by the Imo state administration. HURIWA said the government is legally obliged to arrest and punish mass murderers or else anarchy would reign freely which will undermine democracy and development in the state.

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