The Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) has strongly criticized the handling of security issues in Ebonyi State, particularly in relation to attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen. In a statement, the OYC alleged that it had warned Governor Francis Nwifuru about the rising threat four days before the deadly attack on Amegu Nkalaha community in the Ishielu Local Government Area, which occurred on February 2, 2025. The attack resulted in multiple fatalities and the destruction of property worth millions.
The OYC expressed concern that Fulani herdsmen were expanding their presence in the state, potentially leading to more violence. They accused Governor Nwifuru of not taking sufficient action to address the growing insecurity in the region, criticizing his perceived lack of response to the increasing frequency of killings, kidnappings, and other criminal activities in the South-East.
The statement further condemned a press release from the Ebonyi State chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, which voiced support for the governor’s administration. The OYC claimed that this release was more of a defense for Nwifuru, rather than a stance from the state’s socio-cultural body, and that such political alignment undermined the role of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in advocating for the Igbo people.
The OYC urged Ndigbo leaders, particularly the new President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Sen. John Azuta Mbata, to address what it called a failure of leadership from some state representatives, warning against compromising the collective interest of the Igbo community for political gain.
Ultimately, the Ohanaeze Youth Council called for a stronger, more proactive response to the ongoing security crisis in the region, emphasizing the need for urgent action to prevent further loss of life and property.
