Nimbo massacre

The herdsmen, who reportedly were bent on occupying a portion of the farming community's land for cattle grazing plotted attack, and went on to notify the natives about their invasion on April 23, 2016. The intelligence was promptly reported to security agencies who met accordingly. However, at about 5.15 am on April 25, 2016, the armed herdsmen numbering over 500 struck killing 40 people. As a result of the insecurity, displaced natives fled to neighboring communities of Nkpologu and Uvuru, (Uvuru-Agada) even as indigenes of those communities also fled to Nsukka in fear of further attacks. just a little over a month. There was invasion of neighbouring Abbi, another Uzo Uwani community, where a brother and sister-Fidelis and Mercy Okeja were reportedly killed on the spot earlier in February 2016. 19 persons were declared missing whilst seven houses and motorcycles were raised down. It was reported the invasion was carried out by 30 masked Fulani herdsmen. ==Compromised Security==

According to Enugu State governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the terrorism at Nimbo may have happened due to inability of security agencies to successfully act on the counter intelligence report about herdsmen grouping at neighbouring Odolu in Kogi State in preparation for attack. Igbo social cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo whilst expressing disappointment at the seemingly security lapses which led to the terror attack and likelihood of another attack, asked the government to carry out thorough investigation to bring those responsible to justice and forestall further occurrences. The body also said “Imeobi views with grave concern and unequivocally, condemns the recent slaughter by Fulani herdsmen of our defenceless kith and kin in Nimbo, Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State.” ==Herdsmen and Communities==

Roaming herdsmen have reportedly terrorised, occupied lands, raped, kidnapped, and killed hundreds of people across the farming communities of southern and north central states in 2016, a bloody conflict Nigeria’s information minister, Lai Mohammed said the government was working behind the scenes to resolve. Besides loss of human lives, it is estimated the bloody conflicts cost the West African country billions in lost revenues. and the January 5, 2016 abduction of slain traditional ruler of Ubulu-Uku community, Obi Agbogidi Akaeze Ofulue of Aniocha South, Delta State, by gunmen and ransom demanded. "Though my phone number was used for negotiation of the ransom and a large amount of the ransom collected was also found on me. What happened was that, one of my friends known as Idris, who I met two months ago came to my house few days before the last Sallah celebration and took one of my SIM cards", answered Dojijo who was described as the leader of Chief Olu Falae's abduction operation. “These herdsmen must be called to order, these wanton destructions, audacious incursions in other people territory cannot continue for too long,” remarked Ondo State governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko. ==Public Perception==

There is a growing perception down the south and north-central regions of Nigeria, that federal government's silence, “I feel bitter, I feel aggrieved. I feel sad that APC government at the centre cannot protect us. We call on the Federal Government to declare state of emergency in Igboland over the Fulani herdsmen threat to security in the zone or else we will declare war against the Fulani Herdsmen", remarked the Archbishop of the Anglican Communion, Enugu Province, Most Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuma. The Rev warned that, if nothing was done to checkmate the Fulani herdsmen, he would personally ask the pro-Biafra groups to declare war on them as part of their Fundamental rights to Self-defense. Indigenous People of Biafra has said the increasing attacks are aiding the fulfilment of predictions of its incarcerated leader, Nnamdi Kanu, whose popularity has soared following the terror attacks, about propagation of Hausa/Fulani supremacy and Islamization of Eastern Nigeria. “The itinerant herdsmen are Fulani. They are killing and maiming innocent people. ==Opposition to Grazing Reserve and Routes==

"I hear there is a bill in the Senate seeking to create grazing routes, where are they grazing to, to another man’s farm”. Creating grazing routes is not the solution as it is known worldwide that cows kept in ranches produce better than grazing cows", remarked Audu Ogbe, Nigeria's Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. According to Obi Nwakanma, "aggressive Nomadism must not be allowed to become an avenue for ethnic expansionism and conquest of citizens protected by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria". Ohanaeze Ndigbo, while opposing the creation of grazing routes and reserves, said cattle grazing is a private business and, therefore, should not be done in a manner that individual's or community's rights are infringed upon. Re-echoing the position of many Nigerians, the Oyo State through its governor, Abiola Ajimobi, warned against any proposal to seize or allocate land across Nigeria for use as federal grazing reserves."It is against the Land Use Act; it is against the law of Natural justice to seize people’s land to cater for someone’s cattle." Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN whilst viewing grazing reserve, route or right bill as a subtle way to Islamise Nigeria, like many Nigerians, said the best solution is private ownership of modern-day cattle ranches with access to veterinary services, schools, Irrigation/water supply and other social amenities. The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, re-assured the public that National Assembly will not support the creation of grazing reserves anywhere in the country. ==References==