The police authority at Isikwuato, Abia State, has said that it’s not aware of the reported invasion of Fulani herdsmen camp at Isikwuato by the Eastern Security Network formed by the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB.
An online news service Sahara reporters had reported that operatives of the ESN, have reportedly invaded the camps of the Fulani Herdsmen in Isikwuato, chasing them away and killing dozens of cows. This was the aftermath of the latest killing of a motorist in a failed abduction attempt by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
The report said it obtained the information via a video shared online by the leader of the IPOB, mazi Nnamdi Kanu. The report said the ESN operatives were seen burning houses and cows allegedly belonging to Fulani herdsmen.
But a competent Police source at Isikwuato, told Newscritic online in a telephone conversation that they are not aware of any such incident happening in Isikwuato.
He said that since the last kidnapping attempt that led to the shooting and killing of a young motorist, and recovery of a pump action rifle from the fleeing kidnappers, the police has intensified patrol in the area.
The source said, while it’s unfortunate that the government has refused to rehabilitate the Isikwuato road which is helping the kidnappers prey on their victims easily, he disclosed that the people involved in the kidnappings and attacks are Fulani herdsmen, according to a victim who escaped from the bush.
He said the DPO Iyam Iyam and his P &G team are on 24 hours security surveillance in the area. Newscritic online reports that Isikwuato axis has remained a dangerous axis where bandits and kidnappers have a free reign despite the presence of a military battalion rangers.
At the time of filing this report, Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has ordered the rehabilitation of the failed portion of Isikwuato federal road.
It is estimated that victims of kidnappings in Isikwuato have paid at least N100m as ransom, within the last one year, according to Emenike Iroegbu, a journalist and social crusader from Isikwuato.
