Indications have emerged that the attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen on the Ukpabi Nimbo community in Uzo-Uwani local council of Enugu State in the early hours of last Monday, during which scores of residents were killed and several houses and other property burnt, did not come unannounced.
Although the state governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi had summoned an emergency meeting of all security agencies in the state on Sunday to forestall the attacks, the state security machinery was not proactive enough to nip it in the bud.
A source within the Enugu government disclosed that senior security chiefs assured the governor at the meeting that held till the early hours of Monday, that the attacks would be prevented.
The source said the attacks, which lso caught the local residents unawares, were actually carried out moments after the meeting dispersed, thereby preventing the security agencies from putting their strategies in place.
A distraught Ugwuanyi, who was reported to have shed tears when he saw the extent of carnage in the destroyed community was said to be appalled that the state could not do anything despite the early warnings.
Meanwhile, it was gathered that another meeting, this time to assess the situation, provide palliatives to the victims and prepare a broad strategy to prevent future occurrences, has been scheduled for next Monday at Old Governor’s Lodge, Enugu.
The meeting, said to be part of series of action plan by the state to find solution to the menace of herdsmen, would also look into ways of promoting peace among the residents and prevent a retaliation that may escalate the crisis further and specifically address all issues that led to the Monday mayhem.
Next Monday’s meeting has also been expanded to include traditional rulers, community leaders, presidents-general of Town Unions and leaders of neighbouhood watch in all the communities across the state.
Ugwuanyi, who during a visit to the ravaged community called for fasting and prayers for divine intervention in the threats to security of lives and property in the state, said the trend portends great threats to the unity of the country.
Today.ng
This is a sign of negligence by our Security operatives. Totally unacceptable.
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