The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) have assessed the scene of the recent killing of herders in Agu-Ifite, Awka, Anambra State, urging residents to remain calm while security agencies investigate the incident.
The assessment team, led by the Head of NEMA’s Enugu Operations Office, Priscilla Madukwe, represented the Director-General of NEMA, Zubaida Umar, during the visit.
The delegation inspected the affected settlement to assess the extent of the destruction and gather firsthand information for a report to the Nigerian Government.
Speaking at the site, Madukwe conveyed the Nigerian Government’s condolences to the bereaved families and condemned the killings, describing the attack as senseless and unfortunate.
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She emphasised the need for peaceful coexistence among communities, noting that the assessment would enable the Nigerian Government to determine appropriate interventions.
“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, Chinedu Okafor, appealed to members of the Hausa/Fulani community to remain calm and allow security agencies to conclude their investigation.
He reaffirmed that every Nigerian has the constitutional right to live and conduct lawful business in any part of the country without fear or intimidation, stressing that “the Anambra State Government maintains a zero-tolerance policy against crime.”
Okafor said the Commissioner of Police had confirmed that investigations were ongoing and assured the community that those responsible for the killings would be identified and brought to justice.
The Deputy Director of SEMA, Ndidi Omega, also extended condolences to the bereaved families, saying the agency would submit its assessment report to the Anambra State Government while continuing to collaborate with NEMA to strengthen 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), Gidado Siddiki commended the emergency agencies and the Awka South Local Government chairman for their prompt response and visit to the affected community.
He described the visit as a demonstration of compassion and responsible leadership and pledged to encourage members of the Fulani community to remain peaceful and refrain from taking the law into their own hands.
Siddiki, who said he has lived in Anambra State since 1986, noted that relations between the Fulani community and their host communities had largely been peaceful.
He urged security agencies to ensure that those responsible for the killings were arrested and prosecuted, saying justice for the victims would reinforce public confidence and preserve the longstanding peaceful relationship between the communities.
Police personnel provided security throughout the assessment visit, while emergency officials documented the destruction, including burnt huts, as part of the post-incident assessment.
Vetted: Cyril Okonkwo
