The Enugu State Command of the Nigeria Police Force wishes to inform members of the public particularly good people of the state that its attention has been drawn to various malicious and misleading publications in some sections of the print media particularly that of Daily Sun Newspaper of Wednesday 8th June,2016 amongst others with the caption: FEARS IN ENUGU AS FULANI HERDSMEN RETURN TO NIMBO. and wish to state as follows:
That following the incident at Nimbo Community on 25th April,2016,that the state command working in partnership with other security agencies, relevant stake holders and the Government of the state has constantly ensured that live returns to the community as security operatives have been on ground since the ugly incident.
That since after the incident, Nimbo community and its environs have been peaceful as business activities have resumed in its full capacity.
That the story as presented by the writer could be seen as figment of his imagination as he could not exercise professionalism which demands that all the sides must be reached on the event of any issue to enable balance reportage as this also, would have enabled him to be in the picture of the state of things in Nimbo community.
That probe into the publication revealed that it is not only false but baseless and aimed at underscoring the effort of the state government as well as that of the security agencies put in place to restore normalcy and to ensure that there is lasting peace not only in Nimbo but other communities in the state.
The Commissioner of Police Cp Emmanuel Ojukwu who has severally visited the community and its environs to reassure them since assumption of duty in the state on receipt of the misleading report, quickly contacted his security operatives on duty at Nimbo community where he got a report that the area is still peaceful and that there is no trace of fulani herdsmen since after the ugly incident.
The Area commander Nsukka Zone and the Dpo Adani in charge of Nimbo who also confirmed that there is no trace of herdsmen in the area since after the ugly incident of 25/4/16.Also contacted was the traditional ruler of Nimbo community HRH IGWE John Akor and the chairman of Uzouwani local Government Area Cornel Onwubuya who maintained that the area is peaceful and there has not been any trace of Fulani Herdsmen and their cattle since after the ugly incident and wondered why there should be such publication.
However to ensure that things were not taking for granted,the heads of fulani/herdsmen communities were summoned to this effect and in his reaction,Bala Ardo the general secretary maintained that fulani herdsmen since after the incident at Nimbo have not gone to the area and its environs as he maintained that it will be morally wrong for them to go back to the area when the community is still nursing injuries of their lost ones.
He openly stated that he is sure that his people cannot go there but assured that he has been working with the security Agencies and Government with his Fulani herdsmen leadership group to foster peace in the state.
The state command based on this, have enjoined members of the public to be going about their normal lawful businesses and regard the publication as baseless and unfounded since there is no reported issue of such before the command nor trace of Fulani herdsmen in Nimbo community as presented by the reporter.
The command also viewed such publication as malicious and misleading as it is capable of generating tension, rancour, bitterness between people in the state. The command has mobilized its security apparatus to fish out those in the habit of spreading false and dangerous rumour in the state and bring them to book while also advising reporters to obey the conduct of conduct and ethics of journalism profession.
Members of the public with any useful information are also enjoined to report promptly to the law enforcement agencies for appropriate action rather than engaging themselves in rumours that are misleading and unfounded.
