Victor Ezeja
Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has finally Intervened to end the security crisis that has befallen Ehamufu Town in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of the State, as a result of herdsmen Killings in recent times.
Following the incessant killings of people in Mgbuji village in Ehamufu by herdsmen in the past few weeks, governor Ugwuanyi convened an emergency security meeting on Saturday, between him and stakeholders of the town to identify causes of the crisis and decisively resolve it.
The stakeholders who attended the meeting including chairman of the council area, Hon. Jacob Abony, the Bishop of Eha-Amufu Diocese, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Daniel Olinya, other clergymen and traditional rulers, all heads of security agencies in the area, President-General of Mgbuji Community, Barr. Chukwuma Edeh, Community Leader, Chief Eric Ebeh, among others, said the meeting ended on a good note and expressed hope that the outcome would solve the problem in the community.
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While addressing newsmen after the closed-door meeting at the Government House, Enugu, Bishop Olinya said, they are sure the decisions reached during the meeting would help solve the problem.
According to the Anglican Bishop, the governor has done what he ought to do by calling for the meeting to intervene in the crisis.
“Those of us from Eha-Amufu are going to do our own as we go back and we are sure that from this time onward, by the grace of God, Eha-Amufu problem will be solved.
“God is going to help us and everything will be well. We are very grateful for what the governor has done and worthy contributions from all our people,” the cleric stated.
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Also speaking, at the end of the meeting, Chief Eric Ebeh, thanked Gov. Ugwuanyi for all he has been doing for the people of the area and the entire Isi-Uzo LGA, and said the governor’s current intervention has again shown his strength and capability.
He said, “After this security meeting, I am sure that all the problems of Eha-Amufu and Mgbuji Autonomous Community will come to an end. And I pray that God will continue to give him (Ugwuanyi) the strength, understanding and ability to continue to govern Enugu State because I still believe as you said that Enugu State is in the Hands of God.”
On his part, the President General of Mgbuji Autonomous Community, Barr. Chukwuma Edeh, equally appreciated Gov. Ugwuanyi for his intervention by convening the meeting to discuss how to resolve the problem.
Barr. Edeh stated in his presentation that it has been established that the problem in Eha-Amufu was influenced both internally and externally and also among the people of the community.
“Going forward we know that the challenges have been stemmed,” Ebeh affirmed.
A video which went viral on social media few days ago, showed women and children of Mgbuji community crying for having been dislodged from their homes by herdsmen who kill and maim their people in their homes and farmlands. Terrified by the killings which goes on unabated, they ran out of their homes to settle in the house of the community leader, Chief Eric Ebeh which now looks like a refugee camp.
Chief Ebeh lamented in the video, that they had lost count of the number people in the area that have been killed by herdsmen who also destroy their farmlands, houses, and even loot their money and other valuables.
He said local security officers who went to find out what was going on were attacked by the herdsmen. He equally complained that they have contacted police and army commands in the state but none of them has come to their rescue at the time.
The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, Abubakar Lawal, visited the area on Friday, alongside the Commander of 82 Division Garrison Command of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Chris Ataki and the State Director of Department of State Services (DSS), Mr Habu Daluwa for an on-the-spot assessment.
According to a statement released by the Enugu State Police Command, the tour was to “enable the Commissioner of Police and the Security Chiefs to jointly assess, strategize and put in place immediate measures to avert further occurrence of the incidence and other heinous criminal acts, allegedly perpetrated by miscreants suspected to have intruded into the area from border communities in Benue State.”
Ehamufu, located in Enugu East Senatorial District, is predominantly made up of agrarian communities. It is about 55 kilometres from Enugu the capital city
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
