Police Deny Expulsion Of Fulani Herdmen From Ebonyi State

In a reaction to an online video alleging that some Fulani herdsmen in Ebonyi State were being attacked and chased out of the state by unknown group, the state police command, Monday, said the herders in question voluntarily left for their home state, Taraba, in search of pastures new.

According to the state police PRO, DSP Loveth Odah, “On 2nd January, 2021, one Fulani herdsman, Alhaji Adamu, residing at Ozibo village in Nkaleke Ichaba/Enyibishiri community in Ebonyi LGA decided to relocate with some members of his family to Taraba State in search of greener pastures for his cows as the dry season is setting in. Alhaji Adamu also informed the village chairman and Ichaba Development Centre coordinator before his relocation.”

Reiterating that the herders were not forced out, Odah said Alhaji Adamu left behind seven members of his family at the same settlement with some of their cattle. According to her, the command had no records of love-lost among the herders in the state, and recalled that the Fulani community in the state did pay Christmas and New Year visits to Governor of Ebonyi State, which is a proof of peace.

The state police commissioner, CP Philip Sule Maku, who described the video ‘as fake, baseless’, has ordered full scale investigations into the matter aimed at bringing the perpetrators to book.

In another development, the Ebonyi State Police Command has commenced investigations into an alleged cannon explosion that claimed five lives, including a three year old baby at Akaeze in Ivo LGA of the state. Our correspondent reports that the incident occurred on Jan. 1, and affected eleven persons, and also burnt a house.

According to the state PPRO, Mrs Loveth Oda, the casualties were admitted to Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, where four of them later died.

Investigations show that a locally-made iron cannon loaded with gun powder, which was kept in a living-room where family members were watching television, allegedly exploded when it was exposed to heat.