Herdsmen attacks: Ohaneze calls for “Bakassi Boys”

There are strong indications that the leadership of the South East geopolitical zone may revive the dreaded unorthodox anti-crime outfit called “Bakassi boys”.

They might be revived as a standby security team to contain repeat of Fulani herdsmen brazen attacks in future.

This is sequel to the seeming progressive rate of murderous attacks by the armed Fulani herdsmen in parts of Igboland.

A source within Ohaneze who pleaded anonymity revealed this to The Authority.

He said that it was one of the decisions reached at the Concerned Imeobi Ohanaeze Ndigbo meeting held on 1st May, 2016.

The meeting was held at the secretariat of the organization in Enugu which was well attended by the elders.

The ‘IMEOBI’ meeting condemned the invasion and massacre of people of Nimbo in Uzo-Uwani council area of Enugu state.

They also condemned killings in other parts of the country, but especially in the South East.

They called on governors of the zone to immediately consider positively the establishment of local vigilante in all communities.

That will give the citizens a round the clock protection since the security agencies have clearly failed.

They believed that with well-funded local vigilante in the zone, the security of our communities would reasonably be assured during these kinds of unfolding attacks. 

Imeobi also denounced and rejected the grazing bill currently before the National Assembly.

They noted that cattle-rearing is entirely a private enterprise of the herders and the cattle owners. 

Therefore, such should not be used to infringe on the businesses and rights of other citizens.

The decision was contained in the communiqué read out by Prof Paul Modum.

The body called on the Federal and the Enugu state governments to carry out a thorough investigation on the Uzor-Uwani unfortunate attack/savage cold-blooded killings.

This is with a view to unmasking those responsible for the security lapses and to punish them for their actions.

Part of the communique read:

“That Imeobi endorses and reaffirms the positions of Ohanaeze on the proposed grazing bill at the national assembly. 

“This bill is rejected by Ohanaeze. 

“Ohanaeze maintained that cattle rearing are private business and therefore should not be used to infringe on the rights of individuals and communities.

“That Imeobi mandates Ohanaeze leadership to take all necessary action to ensure that such incidents never again occur in any other part of southeast and indeed in all part of Igboland.

The body said after a review of the whole situation, it was observed that the security situation in Igbo land was generally porous and progressively hazardous.

They resolved further:

 “These itinerant herdsmen have indeed drawn a line on the sand, and their actions and audacity will no longer be discountenanced. 

“We must take steps to reduce the chances of recurrence of this kind of evil. 

“It is high-time our people are encouraged to defend themselves, “first”, before placing reliance on any other person.

“And should articulate themselves to wade-off any invader in future. 

“Our people should learn and imbibe the culture of being ready to defend themselves legitimately at all times, and at all levels. Check this site for more information

“At least to offer reasonable defence in event of any impromptu attack, as we the Igbos are vulnerable and are grossly endangered”.

 According to the resolution, “the National Executive Council of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo must set up as a matter of urgency, a ‘Security and Strategic endurance Committee’.

“Also, a ‘Central coordinating Security sub-Committee on Town Unions, Vigilante groups and neighborhood watchers”.

“Security of lives and properties, have long been thrown into the winds, and people are dying like flies that encountered pesticide, and properties are being lost on daily basis from insecurity.

“Each time there is a heinous crime in this country, the security hierarchy will tell us that they will investigate and get to the root of the matter, and will bring the perpetrators to book.

“But no feedback of such investigations are ever heard again ad infinitum, examples abound.

“Till now we are still waiting to get report or feedback about the mystery multitude of corpses deposited at Ezu River, Amansea, Ugwuoba, Enugu State, few years ago. 

 “Our confidence greatly dwindles, as we believe from experience, that the circumstances surrounding this current massacre of our people at Nimbo Uzo Uwani have, from the date of the incident, commenced its journey to being swept under the carpet. 

“The Security network of the country should be accountable, up and doing, so as to restore our confidence. 

“No reasonable person should try to politicize this issue of this ‘Nimbo Massacre’, by trying to make caricature of identity of the perpetrators of this heinous crime, which is well known to our people, to be the Fulani herdsmen. 

“It baffles us how Fulani herdsmen bear prohibited sophisticated firearms, and are never arrested, while for other Nigerians it is against the law. 

“Suffice it to say that justice demand that everybody should be given equal privilege in that regards.”

The Bakassi Boys, an armed group of youth known for their anti-crime vigilantism, were creations of states in the zone and were usually armed with machetes, guns and charms. 

They operated within the zone and were sometimes accused of illegal activities and human rights abuses, yet enjoy popular support in the areas.

From Chuks Collins, Awka

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