An Igbo pressure group under the aegis of Nsukka Platform, has called for the arrest and prosecution of the Enugu State commissioner of police, Mr. Nwodibo Ekechukwu, and the garrison commander, Brig. Gen. Olufemi Akinjobi of 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu, for their alleged complicity and dereliction of duty in the Enugu massacre on Monday, April 25, 2016.
The group said their arrest was necessary because the two leaders of the security outfit in the state failed to carry out their avowed commitment to the protection of the Nigerian people against internal and external aggression.
It noted that their laxity in the coordination of the security apparatus in the state led to the massacre of the over 50 persons, the wanton destruction of the community and the injury sustained by the over 100 persons in the Nimbo community in Enugu state.
In a 10-point demand made by the group in Asaba, the Delta State capital, on Monday May 2, 2016, and signed by Dr. Pius Chinwwuba Ike and Dr. Leo Emeka Abuonyi, chairman and secretary respectively, the group called on President Muhammadu Buhari to arrest, prosecute and punish all who played sinister and suspicious roles in the dastardly act that brought the community to rubbles.
The Igbo group faulted the failure of the commissioner of police who is an Igbo man and technically in a position to surmount all energy to rescue the people and the military commander whom it said both had criminal tendencies for allowing the Fulani criminals to perpetuate the crime unhindered even after given assurance to the state governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Following the wanton destruction and beyond the promise of the state governor to foot the medical bills of those hospitalized for various injuries, the group said there should be adequate compensation for the people of the village and total rehabilitation of the community for the few people left to have what to fall back to after recovering from their hospital beds.
Nsukka Platform also said it is opposed to the grazing bill before the National Assembly, saying since the cattle rearing is private business, the herdsmen should buy lands on their own for the purpose of grazing and not be imposed on particular sections of the country through legislation.
It said in view of the fact that the herdsmen are still threatening the peace of other Nsukka communities which has created unending fear in the minds of the people, all herdsmen should leave the zone and the entire Igboland.
While taking exception to the position of the Northern Governors’ Forum over the unguarded comment at the aftermath of the attack, the group said a civilized governors’ forum would have sympathized with the victim rather than fuelling embers of discord and exonerating militant herdsmen who chose to tread the part of hatred and destruction.
