Anambra herdsmen attack: Bishop condemns killings, appeals to angry youths

GOVERNOR Willie Obiano of Anambra State, currently on a trip abroad, may be forced to return before the scheduled date following weekend’s attack by suspected herdsmen in some communities in Anambra West Local Government Area of the state in which six people were feared dead. Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra State Suspected herdsmen stormed some hamlets in an area known as Agweopia, Iyiogbu and Iyinkolo camps in Anambra West and started firing guns on the houses while the occupants were still asleep, killing six people and wounding many others in the process.

The area had become notorious for herdsmen attack, thus putting pressure on the joint security taskforce set up by the state government to ensure peaceful coexistence between the herdsmen and the farmers. We will go nude on the streets if …, Anambra women storm police HQ over alleged harassment An earlier attack by the herdsmen in the area this year claimed three lives, while crops worth thousands of naira were destroyed. Some of the houses destroyed during the attack were yet to be rebuilt.

Those injured during weekend’s attack had been taken to some private hospitals in Otuocha for treatment, while inhabitants of the affected communities had taken refuge in neighbouring communities. Anambra State commissioner for information and public enlightenment, Mr. Don Adinuba told Vanguard yesterday that a report of the incident had been sent to Governor Obiano who, it was gathered, may come back to the country earlier than his scheduled date of return in view of the seriousness of the attack. He urged the people of the area to remain calm; assuring that government would do everything possible to end the frequent attacks by herdsmen in Anambra West local government.

Cleric condemns attack

Also speaking on the attack, the Anglican Bishop of Mbamili Diocese, Rt. Rev Henry Okeke appealed to the youths of the area not to take the law into their hands, warning that doing so would escalate the problem.

The cleric said: “What is happening in Anambra West is very unfortunate. These people are poor farmers and the constant destruction of their crops is adversely affecting them economically. “This area is the food basket of Anambra State and we expect both the state and the federal government to do something about the frequent attacks. They must not watch while the people are killed by the herdsmen and their farms destroyed.” Vanguard