Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The last has not been heard of the recent killings in Igga community in Uzo Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State as some indigenes of the area have denied being responsible for the killing of security operatives and neighborhood watch members.
The residents claimed that the crisis was orchestrated by a land speculator working with some authorities to usurp the people’s farmlands.
According to a resident, who pleaded anonymity, there was a farm settlement popularly known as “Site” at Ada Rice company where people from different communities including Ojor and Ogurugu carry out their farming activities.
Our source also claims that Fulani herders also have their camps scattered across the settlement.
He, however, revealed that in 2023, so many attacks were launched on Igga farmers in the farm settlement leading to the death of several persons.
He alleged that between May 2023 and this year, over seven natives of Igga have been killed in the farm settlement including Chukwu Emeka Udeze, Michael Ibeme, Onyibo Nebeolisa Okafor, Okoye Chukwunyaka, and Ifunanya Emengini.
He further claimed that the incidents were at various times reported to the security agencies at Adani but “uptil now nothing has been done.”
“Most recently, on May 3, 2024, an attack was also reported in the same farm settlement where some people were massacred by unknown gunmen covering their faces and some on police uniform carrying Ak-47 riffles.
“In the attack, an Igga man, by name, Ifunanya Emegini was also a victim.
“Consequently, there was a military/paramilitary invasion on Igga community, both at the farm settlement and Igga main town leading to burning of houses, looting of shops, properties and shooting as our people scampered for safety.
“Sadly, one Mr Richard Okoye died in the incident while others sustained gun shot injuries before His Excellency Governor Peter Mbah’s intervention on Sunday, May 4, 2024.”
He claimed that upon the governor’s directive that people should start going about their normal businesses and to remain calm, Adani people including women and youths began to forcefully eject Igga people, who are resident in Adani, driving them away from the community.
He alleged that shops belonging to the Igga people were looted and other properties destroyed.
According to the source: “There is a “XENOPHOBIC” activity actively going on at Adani against Igga people as we speak.
“However, Igga people in compliance with governor Mbah’s directives have remained calm and law abiding.”
He alleged that a certain land grabber from Adani was responsible for the latest crisis and called for proper and deeper investigation to unravel the involvement o some influential people disguising as investors in the crisis.
According to him: “Igga people are peace loving people, known for their hardwork, whose culture forbids murder and do not have time for such criminality.”
It would be recalled that the community was last weekend engulfed in crisis when men suspected to be security operatives invaded the community burning houses and destructing properties before the governor intervened.
The Police Command later claimed that some of their officers and some neighbourhood watch members were killed by youths of Igga Community.
The Police also announced arrest of some suspected killers of the personnel allegedly from Igga Community.
