The Fulani community in Enugu State yesterday dispelled the rumour that the Fulani herdsmen were planning an attack on the people of Nze community in Udi Local Government Area of the state, describing it as false and unfounded.
This came as Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi paid an unscheduled visit to the community in the wake of the panic created by the said rumour of an impending attack on the people of the area, reassuring them of their safety.
Speaking at the palace of the traditional rulers of the community, Igwe Udodilim Eze, the secretary of the Fulani community in Enugu state, Bala Ardo, who accompanied the governor to the area with other Fulani leaders, assured the people of the community and Enugu at large that there was no plan to attack the area.
He said that the rumour was the handiwork of mischief makers, stressing that if there was any such plan, the leaders would have reported the issue to the appropriate authorities for necessary action.
According to Ardo, “we wish to assure the people of Nze community and Enugu State at large that there is no such plan at all from the Fulani community. We have lived here for 34 years, we have no intention to attack any community in Enugu State.
“And should any Fulani man from any the part of Nigeria plan to do that and we know, we will always do our responsibility of informing the authorities that are concerned”, he said.
There was a media report that Fulani herdsmen were threatening an attack on the community, after one Mr. Garba from Nze Community alleged that his friend herdsman hinted him of the plans and advised him to leave the community with his family.
Governor Ugwuanyi who learnt of the panic in the community visited them with the Fulani leaders, and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) covering the area, Onyekaba Ezenwa, to dispel the rumored attack and reassure the people of their safety.
The governor urged the people of the community to be law abiding and peaceful, as his administration is doing everything possible to find lasting solution to the menace of the herdsmen in the state.
He told them that he had scheduled a meeting with the leaders of Fulani community and traditional rulers of Nze community to address the matter urgently.
