Protest In Ebonyi Community Over Killings, Kidnapping

Over 1,000 women from Ishiagu in Ivo local government area of Ebonyi State yesterday protested alleged kidnapping and killing of relatives by suspected herdsmen.

LEADERSHIP Sunday gathered that the protest has lingered for four days, resulted in the setting ablaze of the palace of the monarch of Ishiagu kingdom, Eze Moses Ngele, by hoodlums who allegedly hijacked the protest.

It was gathered that the house and car including other properties of the Ivo LGA chairman, Emmanuel Aja, were also attacked by the protesters.

The protesting women barricaded Amaeze road and other entrances to the community, demanding that the state government and security agencies arrest and prosecute the killers and kidnappers of their relatives which have persisted for a long time.

When contacted, the council chairman, Mr. Aja, expressed the regret  destruction of valuable properties belonging to Eze Moses Ngele.

“We had 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, the 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 this will stop.

“I left my house in the morning to meet with the OC Nkwagu military cantonment; I was there when they called me that some women had 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 were already in my house. They destroyed some properties and my cars including house there,” he stated.