Modupe Gbadeyanka
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The 48-hour notice to quit Enugu State given to herdsmen operating in the South Eastern state of Nigeria allegedly by Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOP) on Tuesday has been kicked against.
A group known as the Enugu Youth Coalition said it was totally wrong for MASSOP to threaten another citizen of the country to leave an area when the alleged crime linked to the ethnic group has not been properly investigated.
The eviction notice came after it was alleged that some herdsmen in the state killed a 32-year old man identified as Mr Kenneth Ude.
He was murdered in Ogboli-Ohaja Community in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State and after herdsmen were linked to this incident, MASSOP asked them to leave the community within two days
While reacting to the issue, national coordinator of Enugu Youth Coalition, Dr Edwin Obune, knocked MASSOP for its threat, saying it was very unfortunate the group could issue “such ill-informed ultimatum to herdsmen in the state when the identity” of those who allegedly attacked Mr Ude on his farm was yet to be established.
Enugu Youth Coalition wondered how MASSOP arrived at such conclusion when the police and other relevant authorities in that part of the state are not yet through with the investigation of the matter?
However, the group advised MASSOP and other related groups in the state not to take the laws in to their own hands as the government was capable of dealing with the perpetrator of the alleged crime if his true identity is established.
Similarly, the coalition urged MASSOP members to avoid the temptation of being used by those it described as “desperate politicians” to settle their political differences ahead of the forthcoming ward, local government and state congresses of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
While calling on different groups in the state not to disturb the peace of the state, the coalition, however, beckoned on residents of the state to go about their normal legitimate businesses as the security of all lives and properties are guaranteed in the state.
