(Ugoachataberu)
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has brought peace and security to bear on the troubled Eha-Amufu community in Isi-Uzo Local Government of the state. Border communities in Eha-Amufu such as Agu-Amede, Mgbuji and others had experienced total breakdown of peace and security, resulting in the destruction of lives and property.The communities had been assaulted by alleged Fulani herders as well as clashes with neighbouring communities in Benue State, leading to loss of lives and property.
Governor Ugwuanyi would not have the dastardly situation fester, and so took a proactive measure to ensure that peace is restored to the war-torn Eha-Amufu communities. Ugwuanyi had made many interventions meant to succour the victims and see to the end of the carnage at Eha-Amufu, even as he provided palliatives to the displaced persons while working on lasting solutions to the terrible security situation at Eha.
Ugwuanyi had begun by the reconciliation of the Isi-Uzo stakeholders who had been at cross purposes with one another. The clergy, traditional rulers, community leaders, town union presidents, politicians and stakeholders in Isi-Uzo had poured into Lion Building, Government House, Enugu on 20th December 2022 at the behest of Governor Ugwuanyi. It had been observed that part of the reason for the parlous security situation in Isi-Uzo was as a result of lack of unity among the people; that factional groups in Eha-Amufu warring against one another contributed largely to the ugly security situation in the community. Ugwuanyi therefore sued for peace and total reconciliation which practically took place at the meeting. The people of Isi-Uzo had a breath of fresh air from the miasmatic bad blood, a brooding viper that bit the people to death.
Part of the security challenge was communal clashes among bordering communities at the fringes. His Excellency reassured the people he would liaise with his colleague, Samuel Ortom of Benue State, to ensure that the clashes between Eha-Amufu communities and Benue communities at the borders were resolved and have them live in peace. It was alleged that some of the Benue communities formed league with the Fulani killers to attack, kill and maim the people of the Eha communities.
Governor Ugwuanyi has always committed humongous resources to the keeping of peace in Enugu State. The security chiefs in the state can attest to that as Ugwuanyi would not look back on anything concerning security. Why there had been no commensurate result is the big question the security apparatchiks would have to answer. Granted that the security agencies take instructions from the Federal Government, the president to be precise, an administration such as Ugwuanyi's who spends lavishly on security should be requited with commensurate result. The security agencies would have to sit up and do the needful.That would also douse the allegation that they aid and abet the marauding hoodlums. Resulting from the meeting yesterday is the deployment of 45 additional soldiers to the war-torn areas, and the resolution to deploy more for rapid response should the need arise.
Ugwuanyi's approach to peace and security is commendable. The Federal Government should assist the Ugwuanyi administration whose peaceful and conciliatory disposition should be appreciated. Doing so would require the Federal Government to see to it that the Fulani herdsmen who attack communities and take human lives are brought to book. Doing so will douse the belief that the Buhari administration gives tacit nod to the herders terrorizing communities and destroying lives farms and property all over the country.
Now that the land of Eha is healed and the people united and reconciled by Governor Ugwuanyi, coupled with the reinforcement of security at the Eha communities and Governor Ugwuanyi's promise to engage his counterpart in Benue State to see to the resolution of boundary clashes, it is hoped that lasting peace has been entrenched and restored to Eha-Amufu. Thanks to Governor Ugwuanyi for doing that which he knows how best to do.
