By CHARLES IWUOHA

Hostilities broke out on Saturday in lshiagu community in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, as over 3,000 women protested the killing and kidnapping of their relatives by persons suspected to be Fulani herdsmen in the area.

News Express gathered that the protest, which had lingered for few days, led to the burning of the palace of the traditional ruler of Ishiagu kingdom, HRH Moses Ngele, by hoodlums who allegedly took over the protest.

During the fracas, property worth millions of naira belonging to the Council’s Chairman, Mr Emmanuel Aja, were destroyed by fire ignited by the rampaging protesters.

Protesters barricaded Amaeze road and other entrances to the community, demanding that the state government and security agencies should arrest and prosecute the killers and kidnappers of their relatives, which have persisted for a long time.

A source from the area told News Express: “Women of Ishiagu community staged a protest since early hours of yesterday, till this present time, it’s still ongoing.

“They are protesting the incessant killings and kidnapping along Amaeze road by unknown gunmen. As I speak with you, there’s a total breakdown of laws and order.”

He continued: “The house and vehicles of the local government chairman of Ivo was attacked. Also, the king of the community, Agu III of Ishiagu Kingdom, was attacked. And, the women are chanting threat songs, that they’re not comfortable with their big men in the present government.”

Confirming the incident, the LGA, Emmanuel Aja, lamented the level of destruction of valuable properties belonging to Eze Moses Ngele, including his house and vehicles that were destroyed in the process.

According to him, “We have a problem in a bus stop called Ejiukwu, a place where Fulani herdsmen use to come and kidnap our people, and sometimes kill them. I have complained to DSS, the Commissioner of Police, and OC Nkwagu military cantonment are aware of it.

“The Fulani herdsmen are living in our bush and terrorizing our people. We want them (security) to raid the bush, so this will stop.

“I left my house in the morning to meet with the OC Nkwagu military cantonment; I was there when they called me that some women have turned the peaceful protest that started some days ago, into a riot.

“The women who are agents of other political parties in the state hijacked the peaceful protest; they went to the palace of our Eze-Ogo and burnt his properties.

“As I was there talking to the OC Nkwagu military cantonment, they informed me again, that the protesters are already in my house. They destroyed some properties and my cars including house there,” he stated.