Maroc - NOTCHNEWSONLINE.COM.NG - A La Une - 07/Mar 16:32

Enugu: Ohanaeze demands arrest, prosecution of rampaging herdsmen

The youth wing of the Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has asked for an end to further attacks on the people of Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State. The group said those behind the recent attacks should be apprehended and justice served. This is coming amid protest by women of Eha-Amufu in Isi-Uzo over escalating attack on the villagers by suspected Fulani herdsmen, with some women said to have been raped. However, the chairman of the local government area, who acknowledged that a woman, was raped, said the protest was being sponsored. Speaking on the matter, the National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike urged the government to ensure justice for the victims. Okwu said even if one person was raped, it called for concern and adequate action on the side of the government. He said it was regrettable that for over a decade the people of Is-Uzo had remained at the mercy of killer Fulani herdsmen. The Ohanaeze youths said, “We are worried over the inability of security agencies to end the orgy of attacks on the innocent people of Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State. “This has continued unabated for over 10 years despite assurances by security agencies to end the attacks. It is of utmost concern to us, especially as the matter is now being politicized. “However, what matters to us is the sanctity of life, the protection of lives and property of our people. “It is now confirmed that a woman was raped by the hoodlums ravaging as herdsmen. We know the trauma associated with this kind of development, and this is why we demand that the culprits must be fished out and made to face the full weight of the law. “This is not a time to play politics; it is a time to ensure that justice is adequately served; this is the only way to assuage the feelings of the victims.”The group said rather than turn the issues around the attack to politics, efforts should not be spared in protecting the people of the communities.