By Sarah Ezeh
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) have inspected the scene of the recent killing of herders in Agu-Ifite, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, as calls grow for calm and justice for the victims.
The joint assessment team, led by the Head of NEMA’s Enugu Operations Office, Mrs. Priscilla Madukwe, who represented the Director-General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, visited the affected settlement to assess the level of destruction and gather firsthand information for a report to the Federal Government.
Speaking during the visit, Madukwe conveyed the Federal Government’s condolences to the bereaved families and condemned the killings, describing the incident as unfortunate and unacceptable.
She stressed the importance of peaceful coexistence among communities, noting that the assessment would assist the Federal Government in determining appropriate interventions for the affected victims.
“There is nothing better than living peacefully with your neighbours. We are here to assess the situation firsthand and report our findings to the Federal Government. We pray that such an incident will never happen again,” she said.
The Mayor of Awka South Local Government Area, Prince Chinedu Okafor, appealed to members of the Hausa/Fulani community and other residents to remain calm while security agencies continue investigations into the incident.
Okafor reaffirmed that every Nigerian has the constitutional right to live and conduct lawful business in any part of the country without fear or intimidation, adding that the Anambra State Government would continue to maintain a zero-tolerance policy against crime.
He said the Commissioner of Police had confirmed that investigations were ongoing, assuring the community that those responsible for the killings would be identified and brought to justice.
“We must uncover those behind this unfortunate incident. I urge everyone to remain peaceful and cooperate with security agencies as the law takes its course,” he said.
The Deputy Director of SEMA, Mrs. Ndidi Omega, also expressed condolences to the bereaved families, saying the agency would submit its assessment report to the Anambra State Government while continuing collaboration with NEMA to improve emergency response and crisis management in the state.
The leader of the Fulani community in Anambra State and Deputy National Director-General of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Gidado Siddiki, commended the emergency agencies and the Awka South Local Government chairman for their prompt response and visit to the affected community.
Siddiki described the visit as a demonstration of compassion and responsible leadership, pledging to encourage members of the Fulani community to remain peaceful and avoid taking the law into their own hands.
He said he had lived in Anambra State since 1986 and noted that relations between the Fulani community and their host communities had largely remained peaceful.
Siddiki urged security agencies to ensure that those responsible for the killings were arrested and prosecuted, stressing that justice for the victims would help strengthen public confidence and preserve the longstanding relationship between the communities.
Police personnel provided security throughout the assessment visit, while emergency officials documented the extent of destruction, including burnt huts and other damaged properties, as part of the post-incident evaluation aimed at guiding government intervention.
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