Fulani Herdsmen Raid Community, Terrorize Villagers With AK-47 Rifles

The traditional ruler of Mkpunando-Aguleri in Anambra-East local government area of Anambra state, His Royal Highness Igwe Johnson Mbanefo has sent a Save Our Souls message to the Government of Anambra state and security agencies over invasion of the community by Fulani herdsmen, terrorising villagers with AK-47 rifles while their cattle destroyed farmlands in the area.

Lamenting about the sad situation in his domain, Mbanefo told our correspondent that villagers have scampered for safety and that none could do anything for fear of being killed by the marauding elements.

Although the traditional ruler told our correspondent that the Divisional Police Officer Otuocha Division and local vigilantes had launched a reprisal attack on the armed Fulani herdsmen but they could not apprehend any as the Fulani herdsmen had absconded with their guns on seeing them.

Mbanefo said the DPO saw the level of damage and destruction done to the farmlands as Cassava and other crops planted immediately after the 2022 flood disaster were all destroyed by their cattle.

Mbanefo also forwarded the SOS letter he wrote to the Anambra-East council chairman and copied others seeking urgent rescue of his community from the terror and mayhem of armed Fulani herdsmen lurking in the area.

The SOS reads, “I want to informed you that Fulani herdsmen lead by one Alahaji Kawukaw have invaded my Community through Ojor Community of Enugu State for two weeks now and terrorising us with AK 47. All the cassava stem we suffered for last year as a result of the flood that is now germinating have become food for Fulani cattle.

I have since then calmed youths of my community who wants to confront them not to do so. I am even tired of persuading them.
I am therefore pleading with you as a matter of urgency to save us from this ugly situation.

As of now my people have run out of their farm, while the Fulani Herdsmen have taken over their farm, thereby exposing us to serious hunger.”

Meanwhile, the Director-General Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria(MACBAN) Southeast zone, Alhaji Gidado Sidikki who spoke with our correspondent on the Mkpunando-Aguleri Attack, said those who attacked the community were not members of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria.

Gidado said, “From our official record in Anambra, we don’t have cows in Mkpunando-Aguleri because those guys are coming from Kogi state.

There is a place called Baji local government in Kogi state. That Baji has a common boundary with Aguleri. Maybe they are straying from that place to Anambra. But from our records, we don’t have cows in Mkpunando-Aguleri, Enugwu-Otu Aguleri and Ezi-Aguluotu. All these communities have common boundary with Kogi state and we don’t have cows there.”