On Monday, 14 November, 2016, a concerned Aro indigene, Emmanuel Emenike, had petitioned the divisional police office in Arochukwu over what he said was ‘Complaint against Fulani herdsmen in Arochukwu Kingdom.’
In that petition made available to Aro News, Mazi Emenike had written, inter alia, that ‘It is with sadness that I write my complaint with due respect to rule of law as abiding citizen of Arochukwu that the respected first class Eze Aro’s compound has now turned to grazing reserve, up to his bedroom.’
The petition went ahead to read that ‘on 10th of November, 2016, a Fulani herdsman rode a motorcycle into Eze Aro’s backyard. I ran after him to ascertain the reason(s) behind his visit to the compound. He told me that he was on a grazing inspection to the swamp as regards the water level. I told him that before he embarks on such business trip, that Eze Aro must be informed. As my query with him was on, he made calls signaling their intention to invade us.
‘On 12th November 2016, Eze Aro’s compound was flooded with cows in hundreds. My brother (Okoro Sunday) and I went to the three herdsmen and asked them to graze with caution hence they entered Eze Aro’s palace with impunity. Surprisingly, hardly did we know they were to graze till the wee hours of 13th November. One of the herdsmen was thirsty and had asked me for water which I gave him to drink from my fridge. Equally, I charged his phone with my charger in my house, to exhibit an act of friendliness….’
The petitioner further indicated that ‘at exactly 02 am, they left the palace with their cattle and hardly did we know that colossal damages had been done to our farms in our backyard.
My plantain farm of 200 stands was completely razed down by the cattle and other farm crops destroyed. These men are professional spies who are not afraid of attacks as a result of provocation. I was tactical in following them with caution, the reason we allowed them to graze ….
‘Could some one, please, come for an investigation to ascertain the level of damages and ask our leaders which way forward for the security and agricultural economy of our country that is nose-diving in recession and attack from the Fulani herdsmen. Our leaders must hear this ….’
Meanwhile, the menace llamas have continued to pose to the farmlands of the people of Abam, Arochukwu, Ihechiowa and other communities of Arochukwu LGA have continued unabated, as herdsmen continue to graze and feed their cows around the area, including the recent clash between the herdsmen and those their farms were destroyed at Abam (and Ozuitem in Bende LGA.)
Meanwhile, a security meeting had been held on Tuesday, 15 November 2016, in the Conference Room of the Umuahia Area Command between leaders of Fulani herdsmen, representatives of Eze Aro, Ndi Okereke-Abam community, the DPO, Arochukwu police division; top Abia state police officers, and Arochukwu council TC chairman, Elder Amah Abraham. The meeting was moderated by E Ene-Okon, DC (Admin); Deputy Commissioner, Umuahia, Abia State Command.
In attendance were E Ene-Okon (DC Admin), ACP Vungmoh Kwaimo, Area Command, Umuahia; ACP Challom Dung – ACCIID, Umuahia; Daniel Eze O, ASP; O/C, Ozu Abam Police Station; A Idoko, DPO, Arochukwu; AMBA Joseph DSP 2i/c, 28 PMF, Umuahia; DC (Operations), Umuahia; Okoro Iyke, CSP, Umuahia; Joe Enejoh, DC (Operations), Umuahia; Eze Aro representatives: Mazi Rex Ngwu, Secretary Okpamkpo Aro, Mazi Emmanuel Emenike, Hon Okoro Sunday (TC councilor, Aro Ward 11); Ndi Okereke Abam representatives – Barr E O Okafor, Chief Onwuka, Chukwuma Egbuta, Chief Agwu Udo, O V E Irem (Mrs); Onwuka Kalu, Aro TC chairman; Fulani herdsmen representatives – HRH, Sariki Yaro Danladi; Leader, Hausa Abia, Umuahia; Alhaji Muhammed Adamu, Leader, Fulani, Abia, Umuahia; Alhaji Bala Adamu, member, Fulani, Abia, Umuahia.
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