By Chinyere Nwoye
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and the Mayor of Awka South Local Government Area, Prince Chinedu Okafor, have visited the scene of the recent killing of herders at Agu-Ifite, Awka, on July 22 to assess the situation and sympathise with the affected families.
The assessment team, led by the Head of NEMA Enugu Operations Office, Mrs. Priscilla Madukwe, inspected the affected settlement to obtain firsthand information on the incident and evaluate the level of destruction for onward report to the Federal Government.
Speaking during the visit, Mrs. Madukwe said the delegation came on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria to commiserate with the families of the victims. She strongly condemned the killings, describing them as senseless and unfortunate.
“There is nothing better than living peacefully with your neighbours. That is what we advocate for, peaceful coexistence among all communities. We are here to obtain firsthand information and report back to Abuja on what we have seen.
We pray that such an incident will never happen again,” she said.
Also addressing members of the Hausa/Fulani community, the Mayor of Awka South Local Government Area, Prince Chinedu Okafor, urged residents to remain calm and allow security agencies to carry out a thorough investigation into the incident.
Prince Okafor noted that every Nigerian has the constitutional right to live and work in any part of the country without fear or intimidation. He reaffirmed that Anambra State maintains a zero-tolerance policy against crime and he assuresed the community that those responsible for the attack would be identified and brought to justice.
“As the commissioner of police has already stated, investigations are ongoing and we must get to the root of this unfortunate incident. I appeal to the Hausa/Fulani community to remain peaceful and cooperate with security agencies. Before long, those behind this act will be arrested and made to face the law,” the Mayor stated.
Earlier, the Deputy Director of the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mrs. Ndidi Omega, also appealed for peace and offered prayers for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives. She said SEMA would submit its assessment report to the Anambra State Government while continuing to collaborate with NEMA in managing emergencies and mitigating crises across the state.
In his remarks, the leader of the Fulani community in Anambra State and Deputy National Director-General of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Gidado Siddiki, commended the Mayor of Awka South, NEMA and SEMA for their prompt visit and show of concern.
Alhaji Siddiki said that government officials rarely visit affected communities immediately after such incidents, describing the Mayor’s visit alongside officials of NEMA and SEMA as a demonstration of leadership and compassion.
He pledged to appeal to members of the Fulani community to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands.
According to him, he has lived in Anambra State since 1986 and has raised his family in the state, describing the Igbo people as hospitable and peaceful. He maintained that criminal elements exist in every society and stressed that the actions of a few individuals should not be used to judge an entire community.
He appealed to security agencies to ensure that those responsible for the killings are apprehended and prosecuted, insisting that justice for the victims would help strengthen public confidence and preserve the longstanding peaceful relationship between the Fulani and their host communities in Anambra State.
Chinyere Nwoye is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
