Herdsmen Not Responsible For Ngbo Attack, Says Ebonyi Gov’t

The Ebonyi State Government has exonerated herdsmen from the
attack which occurred at Umuogudu Akpu-Ngbo community in Ohaukwu
Local Government Area of the State in the early hours of
Monday.

This was contained in a statement issued by the deputy governor
of the state, Dr Kelechi Igwe, and was made available to
journalists through his Press Secretary, Mr Monday Uzor.

But few natives claimed that the attackers were herdsmen while
many pointed accusing fingers at a group from Benue.

Dr Igwe, who condemned the attack, however, called on those
sponsoring the report to turn a new leave.

“We use this opportunity to call on those sponsoring such report
to verify their information before going to the press.

“So far, preliminary investigations reveal that the attack was
not carried out by Fulani herdsmen as being speculated in different
quarters but is linked to the age-long crisis between the community
and their Agila neighbours of Benue State.

“Also, the government of Ebonyi State is in touch with the
leadership of the Fulani herdsmen (Miyetti Allah) who denied
involvement in the attack.

“The leadership of the Fulani herdsmen has assured the
government and people of Ebonyi State that they will not on any
account perpetrate an attack on any part of Ebonyi State,” he
explained.

The deputy governor further called on the people of Ngbo not to
avenge but to remain law abiding.

“The General Public and in particular the people of Ngbo are
requested to remain law-abiding and avoid reprisal as the
government is working hard to restore normalcy to the affected
community.”

“Please, be assured of the readiness of the Governor David Nweze
Umahi- led administration to secure the lives and property of
citizens at all times,” he stated.

Daily Trust learnt that the speculations linking the attack to
herdsmen were raised by few natives.

The attack according to a source took place in Otuebu and Obodo
Ocha villages, Umuogodo-Akpu Ngbo community, in the Ohaukwu Local
Government Area of Ebonyi State.

At the moment, normalcy has returned to the area owning to the
prompt deployment of a joint armed security team comprising
soldiers and policemen to the area.

But a native, who had served as a state chairman of the All
Progressives Congress (APC), Hon Eze Nwachukwu, told journalists on
behalf of the community that only four people were killed.

The Ebonyi State Government has exonerated herdsmen from the
attack which occurred at Umuogudu Akpu-Ngbo community in Ohaukwu
Local Government Area of the State in the early hours of
Monday.

This was contained in a statement issued by the deputy governor
of the state, Dr Kelechi Igwe, and was made available to
journalists through his Press Secretary, Mr Monday Uzor.

But few natives claimed that the attackers were herdsmen while
many pointed accusing fingers at a group from Benue.

Dr Igwe, who condemned the attack, however, called on those
sponsoring the report to turn a new leave.

“We use this opportunity to call on those sponsoring such report
to verify their information before going to the press.

“So far, preliminary investigations reveal that the attack was
not carried out by Fulani herdsmen as being speculated in different
quarters but is linked to the age-long crisis between the community
and their Agila neighbours of Benue State.

“Also, the government of Ebonyi State is in touch with the
leadership of the Fulani herdsmen (Miyetti Allah) who denied
involvement in the attack.

“The leadership of the Fulani herdsmen has assured the
government and people of Ebonyi State that they will not on any
account perpetrate an attack on any part of Ebonyi State,” he
explained.

The deputy governor further called on the people of Ngbo not to
avenge but to remain law abiding.

“The General Public and in particular the people of Ngbo are
requested to remain law-abiding and avoid reprisal as the
government is working hard to restore normalcy to the affected
community.”

“Please, be assured of the readiness of the Governor David Nweze
Umahi- led administration to secure the lives and property of
citizens at all times,” he stated.

Daily Trust learnt that the speculations linking the attack to
herdsmen were raised by few natives.

The attack according to a source took place in Otuebu and Obodo
Ocha villages, Umuogodo-Akpu Ngbo community, in the Ohaukwu Local
Government Area of Ebonyi State.

At the moment, normalcy has returned to the area owning to the
prompt deployment of a joint armed security team comprising
soldiers and policemen to the area.

But a native, who had served as a state chairman of the All
Progressives Congress (APC), Hon Eze Nwachukwu, told journalists on
behalf of the community that only four people were killed.