The Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, Prof. Godfrey Onah, Friday,
slammed security agencies over the mass murder carried out by Fulani
herdsmen at Nimbo community in Enugu State.
Bishop Onah, who addressed journalists in Nsukka maintained that the
killings could had been averted but for the “tactical withdrawal of security
agencies from the community.”
“The most painful of the Nimbo attack is that it was announced, expected
and executed in broad daylight without any inhibition.
“The security tactically withdrew, shortly before the attack and when they
returned to the community, there was no attempt to pursue and arrest the
herdsmen who carried out the attack.
“For now, nobody can say the exact number of people killed in Nimbo as
those who were badly wounded are still dying and dead bodies are being
recovered”, he said.
The Bishop urged the Federal Government to arrest the perpetrators and
their sponsors and also disarm all those who carried rifle in public without
permission.
“We appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive on security
operatives to go after herdsmen that commit crime in some communities.
We wish the directive will be carried to the letter and promptly before the
situation gets out of hand.
“Protection of lives and property is the primary responsibility of any
government, as act of governance will lose its meaning without the
guarantee of safety of citizens.
“If nothing serious is done to call the Fulani herdsmen to order, by the
time Buhari wins his war against corruption there will be no one left for
him to govern,” he added.
Bishop Onah expressed fear that the attack on Nimbo might result into
acute food shortage in the state.
“Nimbo is one of the food baskets and now that many people in the area
are homeless, very soon the state may face the problem of acute food
shortage”, he said.
He, however, urged the people of Nsukka not to engage in any form of
reprisal attack.
“Besides, we should not give the security agencies any excuse to add to
our woes as they are sure to respond rapidly to any perceived form of
aggression on our part.
“Reprisal attack is not the answer, as it is wrong, unlawful and un-
Christian; we should patiently wait for government solution in the face of
this provocation”, he said.
The Bishop said the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka was mourning for the
death of her children and the pains of the displaced.
“We are living in fears as no one knows when the militant herdsmen will
strike again.
“The diocese has directed that prayers be offered in all churches next
Sunday for the attack in Nimbo community as well as pray against such
attack again in the state.
“As good Christians, like our Lord Jesus Christ, we should pray for those
who persecute and kill us”, he said.
He commended Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State and Sen
Chukwuka Utazi, the senator representing Enugu North district, for their
efforts in attending to the injured and the displaced people.
The Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, Prof. Godfrey Onah, Friday,
slammed security agencies over the mass murder carried out by Fulani
herdsmen at Nimbo community in Enugu State.
Bishop Onah, who addressed journalists in Nsukka maintained that the
killings could had been averted but for the “tactical withdrawal of security
agencies from the community.”
“The most painful of the Nimbo attack is that it was announced, expected
and executed in broad daylight without any inhibition.
“The security tactically withdrew, shortly before the attack and when they
returned to the community, there was no attempt to pursue and arrest the
herdsmen who carried out the attack.
“For now, nobody can say the exact number of people killed in Nimbo as
those who were badly wounded are still dying and dead bodies are being
recovered”, he said.
The Bishop urged the Federal Government to arrest the perpetrators and
their sponsors and also disarm all those who carried rifle in public without
permission.
“We appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive on security
operatives to go after herdsmen that commit crime in some communities.
We wish the directive will be carried to the letter and promptly before the
situation gets out of hand.
“Protection of lives and property is the primary responsibility of any
government, as act of governance will lose its meaning without the
guarantee of safety of citizens.
“If nothing serious is done to call the Fulani herdsmen to order, by the
time Buhari wins his war against corruption there will be no one left for
him to govern,” he added.
Bishop Onah expressed fear that the attack on Nimbo might result into
acute food shortage in the state.
“Nimbo is one of the food baskets and now that many people in the area
are homeless, very soon the state may face the problem of acute food
shortage”, he said.
He, however, urged the people of Nsukka not to engage in any form of
reprisal attack.
“Besides, we should not give the security agencies any excuse to add to
our woes as they are sure to respond rapidly to any perceived form of
aggression on our part.
“Reprisal attack is not the answer, as it is wrong, unlawful and un-
Christian; we should patiently wait for government solution in the face of
this provocation”, he said.
The Bishop said the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka was mourning for the
death of her children and the pains of the displaced.
“We are living in fears as no one knows when the militant herdsmen will
strike again.
“The diocese has directed that prayers be offered in all churches next
Sunday for the attack in Nimbo community as well as pray against such
attack again in the state.
“As good Christians, like our Lord Jesus Christ, we should pray for those
who persecute and kill us”, he said.
He commended Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State and Sen
Chukwuka Utazi, the senator representing Enugu North district, for their
efforts in attending to the injured and the displaced people.
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