The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has, through its President General, Dr Omenazu Jackson, called on the governors of the Southeastern states to quickly stop the killing of Igbo farmers by Fulani herdsmen across the Southeastern forest.
“A statement signed by the Deputy President General of the organisation, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro said, “investigative reports detailing the horrific killings of over 300 of our fellow Igbo citizens in the Southeast during the first quarter of 2025 present a double tragedy, and profound adversity that we, as a people can not accept.
“The Ohanaeze Ndigbo in its wake-up message of hope and urgency, reminds these Southeast Governors of the towering legacies of our forebears in the likes of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Dr. Michael Okpara, Dr. Francis Akanu-Ibia, Dr. C.C. Onoh, Chief Sam Mbakwe, Dim Odimegwu Ojukwu, and Dr. Alex Ekwueme.
“Each of them would undoubtedly express their dismay at the cowing silence and hypocrisy exhibited by those Southeast governors who have allowed Fulani jihadists to ruthlessly prey on our defenseless Igbo farmers.
“Let it be unequivocally stated that Igboland is under siege. The relentless attacks by these Fulani terrorists have resulted in the tragic deaths of approximately 300 Igbos within just the first quarter of this year.
“This rampant violence must no longer be met with quiescence. We call for an immediate cessation of the conspiracy of silence amongst our governors. It is imperative that we demand prompt and decisive action to resolve the persistent insecurity challenges plaguing our states.
“If our rightful pleas are continued to be ignored, we will not hesitate to seek intervention from President Bola Tinubu to invoke Section 305 of the Nigerian Constitution and declare a state of emergency where our Southeast governors appear impotent or unwilling to safeguard their constituents.
“The ongoing Fulani herdsmen killings in Ahuamufu, Okigwe, Nkalaaha, Uturu, Umunze, and numerous other communities across Enugu, Imo, Ebonyi, Abia, and Anambra states must be met with resolute resistance.
“We cannot afford to wait any longer for resolution; the time for action is now or never. It is an unfortunate reality that our once vibrant Igbo farmers can no longer access their farmlands and fields without fear.
This situation has threatened us with catastrophic food insecurity, abject poverty, extreme hunger and shortages, resulting in the unhealthy living of our people. Daily raping of our wives and daughters is sacrilegious in our culture and must be stopped forthwith.
“This state of unrest has instilled fear in the hearts of Igbos, who wish to return home for the sacred Easter celebrations, Christmas and Iri-ji festivals. Investors too are abandoning the Southeast, which has become a shadow of its former self. Elders of 80yrs and above are now living far away in USA, UK, Canada, Abuja, Lagos, Ghana etc due to fear.
“Therefore, we hereby declare a 30-day ultimatum to the Southeast governors to cleanse our region of the menace posed by killer herdsmen or face the inevitable appeal for a state of emergency in any state where governmental impotence stifles the rights and safety of its citizens.
“This is a call to action; a clarion call for our governors to rise and address the grievances of their people, and confront the continuous violence perpetrated by the nefarious operations of killer herdsmen.
“When a leader fails to provide leadership to his people and refuses to quit, he becomes a monumental social burden.”
