By Uzo Ugwunze
The Chairman of Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council (ASTRC), His Royal Majesty Igwe Chidubem Iweka (Eze Iweka III of Obosi Ukwalla Kingdom) has called for restraint over the killing of sixteen Northerners tagged hunters at Uromi, Edo State.
He urged the Federal Government to find a lasting solution to herders clashes with farmers which he said had both local and national consequences on Nigerian citizens.
Eze Iweka III made the call while addressing newsmen in his Palace describing the Uromi killings as unfortunate and condemnable.
According to him, the Federal Government should as a matter of urgency find lasting and permanent solution to the crises between herders and farmers which he noted had claimed many lives across the country.
He said it is regretable that farmers do not go to their farms anymore because of fear of killer-herdsmen.
“These recurring crises of herders and farmers have contributed to food scarcity in the country thereby creating hunger and sufferings among many Nigerians, “he added.
Eze Iweka III advised against revenge or Northerners deciding to retaliate, saying that doing so would lead to loss of lives of innocent citizens who are not part of the killings.
He said that reprisal killings which happened in 1966 where innocent Nigerians were massacred for what they did not know anything about should not be allowed to repeat itself in Nigeria.
He further commended the Inspector General of Police for the reported arrest of the man who in a viral video, threatened mass killing of Southerners living in the North.
Speaking on the security situation in Anambra state, the traditional ruler commended Governor Charles Soludo for taking appropriate measures through the launch of Operation Udo Ga Achi and Agu-nechemba security outfits which he said has reduced crime to the barest minimum in Anambra state.
” Our Governor, Prof Charles Soludo has done much on security. We all know that crime cannot be totally eradicated but Governor Soludo in his wisdom created these security outfits which we can all see their effects. Crime has drastically reduced to the barest minimum, “he further said.
Igwe Iweka further applauded Governor Soludo for infrastructural developments put in place by his administration in the state and many other projects across different sectors. He advocated that Governor Soludo should be given the chance to complete the projects he has started.
