Enugu State Security: Frustrated Gov. Ugwuanyi Resorts To Self Help, Orders Vigilante Checkpoints
The Oasis Reporters
August 24, 2019
In the face of a seeming deterioration in the security and safety architecture for Enugu State residents following the brutal murder of a woman in a farmland at Nchatancha community in Emene, Enugu East Local Government Area, identified simply as Mama Chinagorom, (Mrs Pat Ngwu) at Nchatancha area of Eke Obinagu community in Enugu east LGA, State governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has called for the establishment of Vigilante checkpoints in all local governments.
This murder by yet to be identified criminals came on the heels of the killing of a Catholic Reverend Father earlier on and Enugu State governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has directed Chairmen of the 17 Local Government Areas, who are yet to mount Vigilante security checkpoints in their respective areas to do so immediately, to ensure adequate security operations in their localities.
This came as the state government condemned in its entirety, the dastardly murder of the said Mama Chinagorom.
In a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, the government condoled with the family of the deceased and charged the security agencies to commence a full scale investigation into the unfortunate incident with a view to apprehending and prosecuting the culprits.
The statement added that the state government “deeply appreciates the good people of the state for their cooperation and support” and reassured them of its firm commitment to win the war against criminality.
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK has equally described the murder as a sacrilege.
This was contained in a Press statement that The Oasis Reporters obtained, signed by the Ohanaeze UK President,
Dr Nnanna Igwe.
The statement reads that “Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK is profoundly appalled by the report of rape and murder of a pregnant woman in Nike Enugu by Fulani Herdsmen”, although the statement did not state whether the culprits have been arrested as to note their ethnic identity.
“There are numerous other reports of killings, rape, kidnapping and farm land destruction which abound. These actions are unacceptable and anti-democratic.
‘This is a heinous crime and therefore we totally and unreservedly condemn the killing and other such killings in Igboland in strongest terms.
“We state without equivocation that Igbo life matters and must be respected. We stand shoulder to shoulder with our people. We are consulting widely and coordinating robustly to ensure peace and unity amongst our people to speak with one voice against oppression of Ndigbo in Nigeria.
“The international community is urged to investigate the terrible and terrorising actions of the herdsmen in Nigeria and prevail on the Federal Government to STOP the nefarious activism and the sponsors prosecuted with full weight of the international law.
Ndigbo must unite in-house in order to confront our common external enemy.
May the souls of Ndigbo and other Nigerians murdered by herdsmen rest in peace.
God bless Ndigbo worldwide”, it went on to say, concluding the statement.
Meanwhile, following an eruption of Protests by angry residents, calls have been made for the redeployment of the commissioner of police, Enugu state.
The residents of Nchatancha took to the streets to protest the murder of the woman.
“Insecurity in Enugu state has taken a new dimension and the police has to show cause why the command has been unable to secure Enugu resident” a circulated statement read, and went on to say that “the commissioner of police Enugu state, Mr. Suleiman Balarabe has the mandate to step up the security to protect our people.
The police commissioner seems not to have done enough since coming to the state early this year. We can no longer continue this way. The police and other security agencies are paid with public funds to protect us. What excuse does the police have for the continued killing of our people?”, as the protesters demanded the sacking of the state police commissioner immediately, calling on the Inspector General of Police to redeploy Mr Suleiman Balarabe “as it seems he has no better plan to curb the growing insecurity in the state.”
“It seems the police has abandoned the governor, who has taken it upon himself in the last few weeks providing logistics including employing forest guards and clearing the forests identified as hideouts and camps of these heartless murderer.
Our people will be forced to protect themselves if the security agencies that have the constitutional mandate to protect us watch helplessly while the hoodlums continue to have their way”, ending the statement, published by AIF Media.
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