Protest rocks Ebonyi Community over suspected herdsmen’s kidnapping of natives

Women in their numbers on Saturday took to protest in Ishiagu Community in Ivo Local Government Council of Ebonyi State over mindless killing and endless kidnapping of natives by the suspected herdsmen.

The protest has lasted for four days, but Saturday’s protest turned to the vandalisation of the palace of the Monaarch of Ishiagu Kingdom, Eze Moses Ngele when miscreants seize the opportunity to go on rampage.

The youths who late joined the protest attacked and damage the car and house of the Ivo Local Government Council Chairman, Emmanuel Aja with some of his valuables carted away.

Protesters were said to have barricaded Amaeze road and other entrances to the community, demanding that the government of Ebonyi state and security agencies, should arrest and prosecute the killers and kidnappers of their relatives.

A source for the area who spoke to our Reporter in confidence said: “Women of Ishiagu community staged protest since early hours of yesterday, and till this present time, it’s still ongoing.

“They are protesting on the incessant killings and kidnapping along Amaeze road by unknown gunmen. As I speak with you, there’s total breakdown of laws and order.

“The House and vehicles of the local government chairman of IVO was attacked. Also, the King of the community, Agu 111 of Ishiagu kingdom was also attacked. And, the women are chanting threat songs, that they’re not comfortable with their big men in the present government” the source stated.

The Chairman of Ivo LGA, Mr. Emmanuel Aja, when contacted, confirmed the incident, lamenting the level of destruction of valuable properties belonging to him and the Monarch of the community, Eze Moses Ngele.

Mr Aka said: “we have a problem in a bus-stop called Ejiukwu, a place where Fulani herdsmen use to come and kidnap our people, and sometimes kill them. I have complained to DSS, Commissioner of Police and OC Nkwagu military cantonment are aware of it.

“The Fulani herdsmen are living in our bush and terrorizing our people. We want them (security) to raid the bush, so that this will stop.

“I left my house early the morning to meet with the OC Nkwagu military cantonment, I was still there, when they called me that some women have turned the peaceful protest that started some days ago, into a riot.

“The women who are agents of other political parties in the state hijacked the peaceful protest, they went to the palace of our Eze-Ogo and burnt his properties.

“As I was there talking to the OC Nkwagu military cantonment, they informed me again, that the protesters are already in my house. They destroyed some properties and my cars including house there,” he stated.