*Assailants are “hoodlums” – State Govt
*No, the killers are IPOB, ESN terrorists – People
*Blame Gov Ikpeazu for allegedly pampering criminal elements
*We will continue to be patient but…- Northerners
By OUR REPORTER
Information reaching us Thursday night from Abia State, the country home of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN), Nnamdi Kanu, showed that no fewer than 15 cattle traders and over 150 of their cows were killed by members of the terrorist groups.
The sad event, we gathered, occurred night of Tuesday 15 February, 2022 at the New Cattle Market in Omumauzor, Ukwa West Local Government Area of the state.
This development has caused tension among Northerners, who are already calling attention of authorities to how some “unscrupulous elements” in the South, particularly South East, have been trying to make happen a repeat of circumstances that led to the Civil War in 1967 even though they have said they would continue to prevail on themselves against reprisals.
In one of the information shared with The DEFENDER Thursday night, it was learnt that, “Close to 15 Northerner traders killed today in Abia state & 150 of their Cows also killed by ESN/IPOB for no reason! This people thought they have d monopoly of violence.
“I prayed n hope the North will still restrain themselves and exercise more patience. because if they choose to retaliate the provocation it will be devastating.”
Common among the comments from Northerners over the matter has been about the pains of how innocent members of their region and tribes doing business in the South are so heavily antagonised that they get killed and their economies destroyed at ease.
“This is how innocent Northerners in the South are being killed for no reason and their properties looted or destroyed. And all we hear is that, the perpetrators will be brought to book. Nothing happens only for another round of killings to take place.
“I hope our leaders at all levels and the authorities concerned will take deliberate and decisive actions to stop this madness before we descend into total anarchy,” the expression of agony captured.
Ripples Nigeria, an online newspaper in the country, in a link: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/eight-cattle-traders-killed-in-abia-govt-blames-hoodlums/ had reported that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had about two weeks ago warned that it would not reverse the ban on the movement and consumption of Fulani cows in the region.
The ban by the terrorist groups on the consumption of Fulani cows in the South East will take effect in April.
The DEFENDER reports that the Abia State Government has, however, responded to the development through a press release signed by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Barr Eze Chikamnayo, dated (Wednesday) 16/02/2022.
In the release, the government, however, put the figure of human deaths at eight with no specifics of the number of cows killed but called the attackers “hoodlums”, to which more Nigerians, who are refusing to be clouded by ethnic sentiments, replied the government saying that it was pampering the IPOB/ESN terrorism by ascribing their criminal activities to “hoodlums” or unknown gunmen.
The Information Commissioner had said, “On Tuesday, 15th February, 2022 at about 11:35pm, some yet to be identified hoodlums allegedly invaded traders at the New Cattle Market located in Omumauzor, Ukwa West Local Government Area of our Dear State.
“Government responded swiftly by mobilising the various Security Agencies to the scene that night to secure the lives and properties of the innocent traders and fish out the assailants.
“This was followed this morning by a high powered team made up of the Chief of Staff, Prof-acb Agbazuere , Hon Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Chief John Okiyi Kalu , Honorable Commissioner for Homeland Security, Chief Sopuruchi Bekee, Executive Chairman of Ukwa West LGA, Chief Okey Kanu in company of the State Commisioner of Police, CP Janet Agbede.
“We are shocked and saddened by this mindless and barbaric act of violence that claimed the lives of about 8 innocent citizens of our great country and we totally condemn this dastardly act together with its wicked perpetrators.
“We are working assiduously to provide succour to the families of the victims. Those who sustained injuries are currently receiving medical attention. We have equally started the immediate relocation of the traders while working out compensation for lost properties. We shall leave no stone unturned to ensure that the evil perpetrators are brought to justice.
“While waiting for the outcome of ongoing investigations by our diligent Security Forces, the Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu together with all Abians pray for God to grant the families of victims the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
“We urge all Citizens of our great Country in Abia State to remain law abiding and promptly report any suspicious movements to the appropriate authorities,” the government’s press release said.
In the meantime, there have been rains of condemnations of the development as we took our sampled from public opinions via some of the serious minded social media posts.
Responding to the government’s press release, some Nigerians especially Igbo, who are patriotic Nigerians and sympathetic towards the carnage done towards the Northerners, blamed the governor and described the statement by his Commissioner as pretentious.
Knoble Arise Elgibor blaming the governor said: “Ikpeazụ allowed Abịa to be a breeding ground for home terrorists and now he is making press release to deceive himself. Shame!!!”
Tonia Oby said: “Investigation kwa Odiegwu, they know them calling them gunmen is just cover up.”
Saidina Ondeku said: “Hypocritical press release when they have actually consciously or unconsciously supported the actions of IPOB by their inactions towards putting IPOB activities to a halt.”
Williams Okoi said: “Why are they pretending as if they don’t know the group that Carry on this attacked they are calling them hoodlums no problem they should continue deceiving themselves.”
Kabiru U Ibrahim simply said: “Nothing like hoodlums”.
Other Nigerians, who condemned the incident include:
Dr. Uche Diala who said: “When you sow hatred, you reap death of innocent citizens.
“The painful thing is after they finish with the external object of hate, they will face themselves.
“I don’t even know what to say as I don’t see anything changing soon. Shame of them,” he said.
Emmanuel Tochineke Mathias, blaming the underreporting of the carnage by some sections of the press, expressed in his own opinion:
“To think that the likes of Sowore and other miscreants disguised as activist are not carrying this news. God forbid, all these calculated killings of North in our region, when they will retaliate, let nobody twist history.”
Henry Irabor said: “When hausa/fulanis start killing of igbos in the north,nobody should blame them o”, but Hausa/Fukanis are now more civilizedbyt there will be a limitation to tolerance of callous behavior like this, another one added.
In a very emotion-laden tone, Abdullahi Ibrahim wrote: “A Time will surely come, I repeat, The time will surely come, they can never eat their cake and have it back.Keep killing our people, Don’t worry,The vulture is a very patient bird.”
