Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai
Ben Ndu
The people of Ezimo Community in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State have cried out to the Enugu State government to save the community from incessant abduction of their kinsmen by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
The women of the community, who came out in their hundreds on Saturday morning said they now live in fear following frequent kidnappings and shootings reminiscent of what is happening in parts of the North.
The women marched to the residence of the State Deputy Governor, Barrister Ifeanyi Ossai, to protest the abduction of Seven (7) people, who were returning from a function at Orba, on Friday evening.
They lamented that the level of insecurity in the area has become unbearable to the community.
The protesting women called for the urgent intervention by the state government and other relevant authorities to save the lives if members of the community.
It would be recalled that gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen on Friday, at Urukpa village in Ezimo Agu, emerged from the bush and allegedly rained bullets on a moving highlander jeep, but the driver was lucky to have escaped.
A source from the community said that the occupants of the oncoming vehicle were, however, not lucky as the abductors made away with all the Seven (7) occupants who are mostly from the same family.
The source disclosed that those abducted included three cousins of the deputy governor, Barrister Ossai.
The source said: “Our Ezimo women have gathered peacefully in front of the Deputy Governor’s Barrister Ifeanyi Ossai’s residence to express their deep pain and frustration over the rising insecurity in our community.
“Their message is simple but powerful: “Ezimo people are no longer safe. With recent kidnappings, shootings, and the fear that has overtaken our villages, the women are demanding urgent government attention and intervention.
“This is not a protest of violence — it is a cry for help; a call for protection; and a reminder that our communities cannot continue to live in fear.
“We stand with them and pray that the state government responds swiftly, decisively, and with compassion. “
Ezimo community, apart from being the home of the state deputy governor, is also the home of the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Frank Mbah.
