A civil rights group, the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety), on Monday raised the alarm over the alleged occupation of several areas in the South-East by killer Fulani herdsmen.
The group claimed that there are likely to be not less than 950 locations in 770-800 communities across South-East of Nigeria presently under occupation or threats of attack by armed Jihadist Fulani Herdsmen and allied others.
In the report it released, which it claimed was subject to a research, Intersociety said the South-East was gravely facing danger.
The report was signed by Emeka Umeagbalasi, Head Intersociety, Chinwe Umeche, Head, Democracy and Good Governance, Obianuju Joy Igboeli, Head, Civil Liberties and Rule of Law and Chief Anayo Leonard Okoli, member.
While giving a breakdown of the figures, it claimed that there were estimated 250 locations spreading across about 90 communities in at least 13 Local Government Areas of Enugu State.
“Out of the State’s existing 190 autonomous communities and 17 Local Government Areas, ahe affected 13 Local Government Areas involved include: Oji River, Awgu, Aninri, Enugu West, Enugu East, Nsukka (Ugwuogo-Nike/Opi-Nsukka axis), Uzo-Uwani, Isi-Uzo, Ezeagu, Nkanu East, Nkanu West, Igbo-Eze North and Igbo-Eze South.
“Imo: the State is home to second largest number of Jihadist Fulani Herdsmen occupation or threats of attack or occupation locations in the South-East; with estimated 230 locations spreading across about 300 communities in at least 17 Local Government Areas, out of the State’s existing 700 autonomous communities and 27 Local Government Areas.
“The affected Local Government Areas involved include: Onuimo, Owerri West, Owerri North, Okigwe, Ehime Mbano, Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta, Ideato South, Ideato North, Ngor-Okpala, Njaba, Orlu, EzinifiteMbaise, Nkwere, Nwangele, Isiala-Mbano and Mbaitoli.
“Abia: The State is home to third largest number of Jihadist Fulani Herdsmen occupation or threats of attack or occupation locations in the South-East; with estimated 180 locations spreading across about 260 communities across at least 14 Local Government Areas in the State, out of its existing 771 autonomous communities and 17 Local Government Areas.
“The affected 14 Local Government Areas include: Aba North, Aba South, Arochukwu, Bende, Isiala-Ngwa South, Isiala-Ngwa North, Obingwa, Isiukwuato, Ohafia, Ukwa East, Ukwa West, Umuahia South, Umuahia North and Umunneochi.
“Anambra: The State is home to fourth largest number of Jihadist Fulani Herdsmen occupation or threats of attack or occupation locations in the South-East; with about 160 locations spreading across about 70 communities in at least 12 Local Government Areas, out of the State’s existing 183 autonomous communities and 21 Local Government Areas.
“The affected 12 Local Government Areas include Awka North, Awka South, Orumba North, Orumba South, Idemmili South, Oyi, Ayamelum, Anambra East, Anambra West, Ogbaru, Njikoka and Dunukofia-where they have a big terror camp behind Zone 13 Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force and Ukwulu Forest and environs.
“Ebonyi: The State is home to fifth largest number of Jihadist Fulani Herdsmen occupation or threats of attack or occupation locations in the South-East; with about 130 locations spreading across about 50 communities in at least 6 Local Government Areas, out of the State’s existing 96 autonomous communities and 13 Local Government Areas.
“The affected 6 Local Government Areas include: Ishielu, Ohaukwu, Ishiagu (Ivo LGA), Izzi, Ikwo and Onicha.”
Intersociety went further to accuse the five South-East governors and religious leaders of inaction.
It alleged that the Five South-East Christian Govs had not only refused to speak out or rise in strong condemnation of the genocidal jihadist activities of the Jihadist Fulani herdsmen “but have also bluntly refused and failed to act or take action as Chief Security Officers of their respective States.”
“The Five South-East Christian Governors are also found not to be alone in such conspiracy of silence, complicity and inaction as top leaders of Christian Faith, especially Episcopal and Pastoral heads of the Catholic, the Anglican and the Pentecostal churches have joined them by being too attached to the Govs," Intersociety alleged.
It claimed that this had forced the religious leaders to "lose their assertiveness, independent voicing and Episcopal neutrality, to the extent that some of them are facilitated by gubernatorial or political establishments to publicly speak or engage in false denials, misinformation or misrepresentation of facts whenever such jihadist herders attacks erupt in communities or dioceses where they are episcopally in charge."