A pan-Igbo group, the Igbo National Union Worldwide (INU-W), has called on all Southeast state governments to pass laws banning open grazing and to encourage local communities to form vigilante groups to protect themselves from attacks by suspected herdsmen.
In a press statement signed by its National President, Ngozi Ogbomor, and Administrative Secretary, Austin Mary Ndukwu, the group said the level of insecurity caused by armed herdsmen has become alarming and must be urgently addressed.
The union said herdsmen attacks have led to repeated killings, destruction of farmlands, and the rape of women across Enugu, Imo, Abia, Anambra, and Ebonyi States. It warned that the security situation has gotten out of control and accused the government and security agencies of failing to act.
“The activities of these terrorists posing as herdsmen are beyond the power of the security agencies. They have not arrested or prosecuted even one of them,” the statement said.
INU-W called on the Houses of Assembly in all five southeastern states to urgently enact laws banning open grazing to protect farmlands and rural communities from further destruction.
The group also encouraged communities to form local vigilantes and security networks, saying this is the only way to push back against the rising violence in the region.
“It is time for the people of Igbo land to rise in unity and defend themselves. We must not fold our arms while they kill our people and destroy our lands,” the group stated.
INU-W further urged traditional rulers, town union leaders, business leaders, market women, youth groups, and students to join hands in defending the region, saying the time for action is now.
The group said the survival of the region depends on bold and immediate steps to stop the violence and secure communities from what it described as “murderous terrorists disguised as herdsmen.”
