Abakaliki
Over one hundreid million naira (#100,000,000) has been disbursed to the victims of alleged herders attack in Nkalaha Community, Ishoelu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
In a brief ceremony held at Ezilo, Ishielu Local Government headquarters, Thursday. The Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, said the fund was to cusion the effect of the attack and enjoined them to judiciously, utilize the fund, assuring them that his administration is doing everything to ensure that such ugly incident never occurred again in any part of the state.
The governor who was represented at event by his Deputy, Princess Patricia Obila, assured members of the community of governments readiness to addressing some of the Infrastructural deficits in the area, and pleaded with the people to embrace peace and shurn anything that could trigger crises in the area.
"With a heavy heart, I reflect on the tragic incident that happened on February 2 in Nkalaha. The loss of lives and properties was devastating, and we must live together as one family to ensure it never happens again,” Obila said.
The breakdown of the compensation shows that 18 bereaved families received ₦2 million each (₦36 million), while owners of 41 destroyed buildings got ₦1 million each (₦41 million). Four destroyed motorcycles were valued at ₦1 million each (₦4 million), while victims who lost cash during the attack were refunded a total of ₦816,000.
The Fulani community in the area also received ₦20 million for cows lost during the attack.
She commended stakeholders, traditional rulers, youth leaders, and security agencies for their efforts in restoring peace, assuring that the state would not abandon Nkalaha.
The Deputy Governor also announced that victims not captured in the first phase would be considered in subsequent rounds of assistance.
On her part, Mrs Peace Ifeoma Agwu, the Executive Chairman of Ishielu LGA, described the governor’s intervention as “historic” for the people of Nkalaha. She said the attack, carried out by yet-to-be-identified gunmen, had left deep scars on the community, but swift government action helped avert further escalation.
“Not all leaders would show such compassion. His Excellency has restored permanent peace in Nkalaha, and our people have returned to their farms and businesses,” Agwu said.
Speaking, the National Deputy Director General of MACBAN, Sidiqi Gidado said that about 140 cows were killed during the crisis and commended the State Governor for the compensation paid to its members.
“People infiltrate some of our people and the indigenes and when they cause havoc in the community, it will be tagged farmers and herders’ crisis which is not. The cattle dealers and the farmers are the vulnerable people whom their business are in the forest,” he added.
Gidado said that the community has set up a local vigilante and pledged that MACBAN will work with government and the community to ensure that peace is sustained.
The Town Union President of Nkalaha Community, Mr. Eze Donatus NnajiOgo, said, "We're here today and we're happy with what the Government is doing. On behalf of Nkalaha Community we are praying for the governor"
He however, expressed regret that out of the 18 persons killed in the attack, 10 were still in the mortuary while 8 have been buried, and urged the State Government to put modalities in place to ensure the burial of those still in the mortuary.
He further lamented that the community can no longer be accessed because of bad road and called on the government to extend its infrastructure programmes to the community.
Apart from the road, Mr Donatus also pleaded with the state government to rehabilitate the dilapidated hospital in the community, saying. “We can only access healthcare in Ehamufu in Enugu State.
“Nkalaha Community cannot be accessed because of dilapidated roads. The State Governor graciously gave us a 2 kilometer road but since last year till now, nothing has been done on the road.”
The traditional ruler of Nkalaha Autonomous Community, HRH Eze Thompson Ebeh, recounted that tensions escalated after a cow was reportedly killed in Ameko land, sparking reprisals. He confirmed that 18 residents, alongside owners of destroyed buildings, motorcycles, and farmlands, were among those to benefit from the government’s N22 million compensation package.
“We cannot fight them. The only solution is understanding and dialogue to prevent further clashes,” Ebeh stated, noting that security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS), had mediated agreements between the feuding sides.
Similarly, the traditional ruler of Ezillo Autonomous Community, HRH Eze Innocent Okafor, commended the government’s swift intervention, stressing that the tragedy underscored the need to value human life above animals.
“Nothing is worth more than life. The Fulani herdsmen crisis cannot be solved by traditional rulers alone government must take the lead,” Okafor remarked.
The stakeholders noted that the Nkalaha attack has become one of several violent flare-ups linked to disputes between herders and farming communities in parts of Nigeria.
They expressed optimism that the Ebonyi State Government would be committed to sustaining peace in the area through continued dialogue, security surveillance, and humanitarian support.
Recall that 18 people were massachred on the 2nd day of February, 2025 by gunmen alleged fulani herdsmen in Nkalaha Community.
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