Herdsmen Attack: Women Groups Stage Protest In Enugu

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria, News From The State Wednesday, May 4th, 2016

By IGNATIUS OKPARA, Enugu

ENUGU, NIGERIA (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – At least 13 civil society organizations on Tuesday staged a peaceful protest over the recent killing of scores of indigens of Nimbo community in Enugu State by suspected Fulani herdsmen, just as the state government is to open internally displaced camp (IDP) in the area.

Addressing the Protesters made up of mostly women at the Government House Enugu, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of the state, announced that internally displaced camp (IDP) would be set up at Ukpabi-Nimbo very shortly to cater for those who abandoned their homes at the wake of the attack.

He told the protesters, how every effort he made to forestall the herdsmen attack were frustrated by security operatives.

Ugwuanyi, however, consoled the women and people of Nimbo, and appealed to those who ran away for safety to return as government was about to set up IDP camp for them.

He also disclosed that the government and all the Bishops in the state would be holding prayers at Nimbo on Thursday to pray for God’s intervention and return of peace.

Governor Ugwuanyi expressed gratitude to God that Ukpabi-Nimbo killings were attracting the attention of the entire country and the world at large, stressing that “it means there will be concerted effort to find solution to the menace.”

The group later handed a statement they jointly signed to the governor.

In her speech, spokesperson for the protesters, Mrs. Joy Onyeso stated that the 13 NGOs decided on the protest after their meeting in Enugu.

She said: “We strongly condemn the killings, rape, abductions and maiming of our people in vulnerable communities in recent past, especially the killings on April 25th at Nimbo Community of Uzo-Uwani LGA that claimed several lives.

“We strongly condemn security agencies who despite early signs failed the law abiding citizens they were supposed to protect”.

The groups include Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom Nigeria (WILPF), Forum for Promotion of National Ethos and Values (FPNEV), Women Aid Collective Enugu (WACOL) and J. C. Ibekaku Hope Project (JCIHP).

Others are, Women in Peace building network (WINET), Federation of Muslim Women Association Nigeria (FOMWAN), Civil Resource Development and Documentation Centre (CIRDDOC), National Association of Women Journalists NAWOJ, Catholic Women Organization CWO and International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA.