Fifteen persons were killed on Monday night when suspected Fulani herdsmen attacked four communities in Ishielu Local Government of Ebonyi. Scores of persons were also injured and many properties destroyed.
Prior to the attack, Fulani herdsmen in the council had suddenly vacated the area suggesting that they had fore knowledge of the impending attack.
The state governor, David Umahi who expressed shock while confirming the attack on Tuesday, said the herdsmen were in possession of AK-47 rifles.
Umahi, recalled that when two herdsmen were killed in the area last year, the state government, the council chairman and community elders condemned the act and invited security agencies which subsequently arrested some suspects who are now standing trial.
He added that the state government had also met with the herdsmen in the state and made peace with them.
He vowed to ensure that all the perpetrators face the full wrath of law.
The governor also urged the service Chiefs to help the state government fish out the perpetrators.
“…It is very shocking that overnight, all the herdsmen in Ishielu local government vacated Ishielu local government which means that the local herdsmen in Ishielu are part of the conspiracy in the killing of our people. They vacated despite all efforts by the government, the governors of South-East and security agencies have been making to give them full protection not only in the state but in the entire South East. We feel so sad that this kind of thing should happen to Ebonyi State… If it is allowed to go this way, it is capable of generating very serious civil war among the nations of Nigeria. I want to demand from the Security Chiefs to fish out these people because they are well known, they should fish them out, let them face the wrath of the law. It has happened in so many places and they were not fished out and that’s why this kind of thing is happening.” Umahi declared.
