Advertisement

…CP commends Gov. Mbah’s determination to rid the state of criminal elements

Chetanne Chinelo, Enugu 

Advertisement

Following published reports by Sahara Reporters, an online newspaper, of killings in Adani, Uzo-Uwani LGA in Enugu State, by suspected fulani herdsmen, X (formerly Twitter) users have taken to the microblogging platform to express varying reactions to the reported killings. 

This is even as the Enugu State Commissioner for Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu has issued an immediate quit order to remnant criminal elements in the state, saying they either leave town or meet their Waterloo.

Demanding that local vigilantes be empowered, an X user, Enugu Loudspeaker, in a post, wrote: “Everytime these Fulani terrorists strikes we keep crying and begging the governor to act, why can’t the governor’s empower local vigilante?

Advertisement

“Went to the north and saw local vigilante usijg [using] Ak instead of the popular pump action been used in the east. 

“The earlier we empower our local vigilante to fend off these criminals the better for us because we cannot keep complaining every four market days”, he wrote. 

Another user, Coal City Connect, sharing a video of women wailing wrote: “We brought you a report that Fulani Herders allegedly attacked Adani in Uzo Uwani LGA, which resulted in the loss of lives and leaving so many injured.

“The mothers in the community were protesting with their eyes full of tears, begging the government of Enugu state and all security agencies to help in securing the lives and properties of Adani people from all the atrocities committed by these herders in their community”.

Advertisement

Responding to the post by Coal City Connect, a verified X handle belonging to Mrs. Ngozi Adeleke, Wife of Osun State Governor, in a post, urged security agencies to take swift action in ensuring the safety of lives. 

“I am deeply saddened to hear about the tragic attack on the community of Adani in Uzo Uwani LGA. My heart goes out to the families who have lost loved ones and to those who have been injured. It is imperative that the government of Enugu State @PNMbah and all security agencies take swift action to ensure the safety and security of the people of Adani. No community should live in fear, and it is our collective responsibility to protect the lives and properties of all citizens. My thoughts are with the affected families, and I urge for peace and justice to prevail in this difficult time”, she wrote.

Issuing an immediate quit order to remnant criminal elements in the state, CP Uzuegbu stressed that there would be no relenting in the effort to totally flush them out of the state.

Advertisement

He stated this on Monday when he led a team of battle tested police operatives to Adani in Uzo-Uwani LGA where two brothers, Mr. Ogbonna Fidelis Anene, aged 33, and Ogbonna John Onyeka, aged 25, were gruesomely murdered on their way going from the farm on Sunday.

CP Kanayo, while expressing sadness over the ugly incident, assured the people of Adani that a crack squad had been sent after the perpetrators to  ring them under the full weight of the law, while also reinforcing security in the border local government area.

He commended Governor Peter Mbah for his determination to rid the state of all criminal elements, noting that the governor’s support and investment in security was responsible for the state’s status as one of the safest federating units in the country.

The CP asked the natives to go about their lawful businesses, assuring of the resolve and cooperation of the security agencies to secure them both at home and in their farmlands.

He, however, appealed to the people to be vigilant and assist security agents with relevant information of any suspicious persons or criminal activities in their environment.

“The Enugu State under the watchful eyes of the administration of Peter Mbah and the Nigeria Police can never allow the perpetrators of this evil act to go scot free.  The government is displeased with this ugly report and we shall ensure justice for the Ogbonna brothers. That is the governor’s demand and that is the Inspector General of Police’s order.

“You can’t stop going to farm because it is your means of livelihood, but  we are guaranteeing your safety. We shall clamp down on these criminals. Enugu is already too hot for them, but we shall make it even hotter for them going forward. So, I urge you all to take heart and count on us for your ceaseless protections,”  the CP said.

Confirming the governor’s order to the CP, the Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State on Media, Dan Nwomeh, posting a video on his verified X handle, reiterated Gov. Mbah’s resolve to hunt down criminals who killed 2 brothers in the farm. 

“As directed by Governor Peter Mbah @PNMbah, Enugu State Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu on Monday led a team of detectives and police special squads to Adani in Uzo Uwani LGA where 2 brothers were killed in the farm the previous day, vowing to hunt down the perpetrators”.

Recall that Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State, had, during a Town Hall meeting organised by the state government with the people of Enugu State on the theme: “Issues of Governance: The Journey So Far”,  on Saturday, March 23, 2024, reiterated his resolve to secure the lives and properties of the people of the state. 

He went on to list some landmark innovations in the state with regard to security, including the establishment of a Distress Response Squad, DRS, and the installation of CCTV cameras all through, with a command centre, among others.

Uzo Uwani local government area in Enugu State has suffered attacks from alleged fulani herdsmen in the past.

In April 2016, it was reported that about 500 suspected herdsmen attacked Nimbo in Uzo Uwani, killing about 40 people.