Tension as Abia Community is Abandoned After Heavy Clash With Fulani Herdsmen

Economic and social activities have come to a halt in Umuobasiukwu Ozuitem community in Bende Local Government of Abia State as residents have abandoned their homes for fear of arrest by police who swooped on the community following a clash with Fulani herdsmen.

Indigenes of Umuobasiukwu who spoke with journalists in Umuahia said that the one-sided arrests by the Abia State Police Command would embolden the herdsmen to launch another attack on the community which is now more vulnerable.

“We don’t just understand why the police should be arresting our people leaving out the Fulani herdsmen who had provoked the clash with our youths,” said Okoro Ndukwe, who fled his home and is taking refuge in the capital city of Umuahia.

He said that his community had in the past been attacked by herdsmen but there appeared to be a lull during the period President Muhammadu Buhari was on medical vacation but “coincidentally they (herdsmen) have started attacking us again apparently because Mr. President has come back”.

More to follow…