Ohanaeze Mulls Emergency Declaration in S’East States over Raging Killer Herdsmen

•Gives govs 30-day ultimatum to flush out the criminals

Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has said if the security situation in the South East did not improve, especially with respect to killer herders, it might be forced to approach President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in the states in the. zone.

It therefore gave the governors of the Southeast states a 30-day ultimatum to be bold and courageous to flush out all killers herdsmen from Igbo Forests.

The body expressed dismay over what it described as conspiracy of silence by the governors of the region in the face of harrowing terror by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

In a statement by the Deputy President General of the body, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Ohanaeze Ndigbo disclosed that over 300 individuals had been killed in the zone during the first quarter of 2025.

“Let this be known globally: Igboland is under siege. Fulani jihadist terrorists have taken the lives of approximately 300 Igbos in just the first quarter of 2025. The imperative demand for an end to this conspiracy of silence among our elected officials is louder than ever.

“We insist that prompt actions must be taken to confront this persistent insecurity. Failing a decisive response, the Igbo Nation will unfortunately have no choice but to seek intervention from President Tinubu, even if this necessitates invoking Section 305 of Nigeria’s Constitution to declare a state of emergency.

“The ongoing killings in Ahuamufu and other communities in Enugu State, Okigwe in Imo State, Nkalaaha in Ebonyi State, Uturu in Abia State, and Umunze in Anambra State, must be met with resolute resistance. This matter cannot be delayed any further.

“It is utterly regrettable that our farmers, the backbone of our economy, are now unable to access their lands across boundary communities in Enugu, Ebonyi, Anambra, Imo, and Abia States. This unprecedented situation not only endangers their livelihoods but also signals a looming food insecurity crisis for 2025.

“As the Easter celebrations approach, it is with a heavy heart that we acknowledge the fearful reality faced by our people, who dread returning home. Notably, this climate of insecurity is deterring investors and tarnishing the Southeast’s reputation as a viable destination for economic advancement.”

The apex body further issued a 30-day ultimatum to the South East governors to expel these killer herdsmen from their territories, stressing that should they continue to exhibit helplessness or incompetence in addressing these security challenges, Ohanaeze Ndigbo would be compelled to appeal for the declaration of a state of emergency within any Southeast state where governance fails to ensure adequate protection for its citizens.