The Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, Prof. Godfrey Onah, Friday, slammed security agencies over the mass murder carried out by Fulani herdsmen at Nimbo community in Enugu State.
Bishop Onah, who addressed journalists in Nsukka maintained that the killings could had been averted but for the “tactical withdrawal of security agencies from the community.”
“The most painful of the Nimbo attack is that it was announced, expected and executed in broad daylight without any inhibition.
“The security tactically withdrew, shortly before the attack and when they returned to the community, there was no attempt to pursue and arrest the herdsmen who carried out the attack.
“For now, nobody can say the exact number of people killed in Nimbo as those who were badly wounded are still dying and dead bodies are being recovered”, he said.
The Bishop urged the Federal Government to arrest the perpetrators and their sponsors and also disarm all those who carried rifle in public without permission.
“We appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive on security operatives to go after herdsmen that commit crime in some communities. We wish the directive will be carried to the letter and promptly before the situation gets out of hand.
“Protection of lives and property is the primary responsibility of any government, as act of governance will lose its meaning without the guarantee of safety of citizens.
“If nothing serious is done to call the Fulani herdsmen to order, by the time Buhari wins his war against corruption there will be no one left for him to govern,” he added.
Bishop Onah expressed fear that the attack on Nimbo might result into acute food shortage in the state.
“Nimbo is one of the food baskets and now that many people in the area are homeless, very soon the state may face the problem of acute food shortage”, he said.
He, however, urged the people of Nsukka not to engage in any form of reprisal attack.
“Besides, we should not give the security agencies any excuse to add to our woes as they are sure to respond rapidly to any perceived form of aggression on our part.
“Reprisal attack is not the answer, as it is wrong, unlawful and un-Christian; we should patiently wait for government solution in the face of this provocation”, he said.
The Bishop said the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka was mourning for the death of her children and the pains of the displaced.
“We are living in fears as no one knows when the militant herdsmen will strike again.
“The diocese has directed that prayers be offered in all churches next Sunday for the attack in Nimbo community as well as pray against such attack again in the state.
“As good Christians, like our Lord Jesus Christ, we should pray for those who persecute and kill us”, he said.
He commended Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State and Sen Chukwuka Utazi, the senator representing Enugu North district, for their efforts in attending to the injured and the displaced people.
Bishop Onah, who addressed journalists in Nsukka maintained that the killings could had been averted but for the “tactical withdrawal of security agencies from the community.”
“The most painful of the Nimbo attack is that it was announced, expected and executed in broad daylight without any inhibition.
“The security tactically withdrew, shortly before the attack and when they returned to the community, there was no attempt to pursue and arrest the herdsmen who carried out the attack.
“For now, nobody can say the exact number of people killed in Nimbo as those who were badly wounded are still dying and dead bodies are being recovered”, he said.
The Bishop urged the Federal Government to arrest the perpetrators and their sponsors and also disarm all those who carried rifle in public without permission.
“We appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive on security operatives to go after herdsmen that commit crime in some communities. We wish the directive will be carried to the letter and promptly before the situation gets out of hand.
“Protection of lives and property is the primary responsibility of any government, as act of governance will lose its meaning without the guarantee of safety of citizens.
“If nothing serious is done to call the Fulani herdsmen to order, by the time Buhari wins his war against corruption there will be no one left for him to govern,” he added.
Bishop Onah expressed fear that the attack on Nimbo might result into acute food shortage in the state.
“Nimbo is one of the food baskets and now that many people in the area are homeless, very soon the state may face the problem of acute food shortage”, he said.
He, however, urged the people of Nsukka not to engage in any form of reprisal attack.
“Besides, we should not give the security agencies any excuse to add to our woes as they are sure to respond rapidly to any perceived form of aggression on our part.
“Reprisal attack is not the answer, as it is wrong, unlawful and un-Christian; we should patiently wait for government solution in the face of this provocation”, he said.
The Bishop said the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka was mourning for the death of her children and the pains of the displaced.
“We are living in fears as no one knows when the militant herdsmen will strike again.
“The diocese has directed that prayers be offered in all churches next Sunday for the attack in Nimbo community as well as pray against such attack again in the state.
“As good Christians, like our Lord Jesus Christ, we should pray for those who persecute and kill us”, he said.
He commended Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State and Sen Chukwuka Utazi, the senator representing Enugu North district, for their efforts in attending to the injured and the displaced people.
