The Senate has called on the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the killings and kidnapping of citizens in Ebonyi state by alleged herdsmen.
The upper chamber made the call amid resolutions reached, the sequel to the consideration of a motion brought to the floor by Senator Sam Egwu (PDP, Ebonyi North) during plenary on Wednesday.
Coming under order 42 and 52 of the Senate Rules, Egwu, in the motion titled: “urgent need for the federal government’s intervention to end the serial killing of innocent and defenseless citizens in Ebonyi State by alleged herdsmen”, bemoaned the general state of insecurity in the country.
He expressed concern that “the killing, maiming, kidnapping and wanton destruction of lives and property by herdsmen have now become the daily experience of citizens of innocent and defenseless people of Ebonyi state who are murdered in their numbers almost on weekly basis.”
“Aware that on 30th day of March 2021, over 18 indigenes of Egedege, Obehi, and Amuzu communities in Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, including a priest, were gruesomely murdered in cold blood by rampaging herdsmen.
“Alarmed that on Monday the 12th day of April 2021, alleged herdsmen/Agila people again invaded Otuebu, Igidi Obu and Ndiagu Ibe-Agba villages in Umuogudu Akpu community, Ohaukwu LGA of Ebonyi State and gruesomely killed over 12 innocent indigenes, burnt/destroyed over 56 houses and kidnapped five persons.
“Concerned that if the federal government does not intervene urgently, these wicked and senseless killings, kidnapping and destruction of property may continue, thereby subjecting Ebonyians and other citizens in Ebonyi state to severe hardship and terrific fear”, Senator Egwu said.
In his contribution, Senator Chukwuka Utazi (PDP, Enugu North) advocated inter-agency interventions that would put a halt to herder killings across the country.
He said: “The most important part of our time spent here has always been about reportage of killings of our people in the hands of herdsmen.
“Mr. President, this is becoming very worrisome, that in a country which is under the rule of law, issues of this nature keep repeating themselves daily.
“Mr. President, I’m begging that, to solve this herder issue, we should make out time to have inter-agency meetings to sit down and see how we can return to these rules of engagement that can allow us to do business without let or hindrance. With that, I say, Mr. President, that something urgent has to be done.”
On his part, Senator Michael Nnachi (PDP, Ebonyi South) lamented the number of lives lost to communal clashes between communities and herdsmen killings.
According to him, the ceaseless killings had made citizens in Ebonyi state live in fear of being attacked by herdsmen.
“As I’m talking to you, I got a call that nobody slept at Abakaliki in fear of the herdsmen attacking them last night because they got a signal that they were around. All of them ran into their houses.
“Mr. President, not to say much, the motion as heavily moved by Senator Egwu is heart-beating. I support this motion wholeheartedly that something must be done to safeguard the lives of the people.
“Just less than three weeks, over thirty-three people, were killed by herdsmen; over seven hundred people killed by communal clashes between Benue, Effium, and Ezza – which is part of Benue and Ebonyi.”
Get more stories like this on Facebook
News Or Advert Contact Us by Email cdanews9@gnail.com., WhatsApp 234805410984 Facebook page CDA news
For more inquiry, You can visit our website at www.cdanewsonline.com
We promote business and have space for advertisement.
We provide the best medium to reach out to the world.
