Available indictable statistics have continued to show in the instant case that Nigerian Army is strongly holding brief for Jihadist Fulani Herdsmen in Nkanu East and Nkanu West particularly in Egudene-Ekpofu, Oruku, Amechi Idoodo, Amegunze and other ‘forest zone’ Communities in the area.
The travail of the named Communities particularly Egudene-Ekpofu in the hands of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies started in March 2020 when Jihadist Fulani Herdsmen were quietly dislodged and matched out of their joint big Forest called “Be Atunshi Forest”; a big Forest between Amechi Idoodo, Amegunze and Ekpofu Communities.
Since then, the Nigerian Army has not allowed the people of the area to rest and have peace. As a matter of fact, soldiers have invaded and attacked the area at least three times since the start of the 2021 following the dislodgment of Jihadist Fulani Herdsmen and in the August 2021 attack, four defenseless citizens of Egudene-Ekpofu were shot dead and scores of others abducted.
There have also been strong accusations that Nigerian Army’s several attacks in the area are remotely in revenge and plot to overrun the affected Communities so as to clear grounds for the return of Jihadist Fulani Herdsmen in the area.
Local eyewitnesses have strongly alleged encampment of herds of cows and their herders mixed with Jihadist Marauders in Oruku and Amechi Idoodo waiting for the way to be cleared for them to re-enter the big ‘Be Atunshi Forest’.
Signed
For: International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law-INTERSOCIETY
Principal Officers: Emeka Umeagbalasi, Chinwe Umeche, Esquire and Chidimma Udegbunam, Esquire
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