The Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province and Bishop, Diocese of Okigwe South, His Grace, The Most Rev Dr D.O.C Onuoha, has enjoined South East governors and Ohanaeze Ndi- Igbo leadership to rise and stop the inhuman activities of some killer herdsmen who forcefully occupy lands, rape helpless females, kidnap, maim and kill land owners with a view to protecting lives and property of the indigenous people.
Bishop Onuoha made the call while delivering an address during the Provincial Council Meeting, held at St Paul’s Cathedral, Ezeoke Nsu, Ehime Mbano local government area, Imo State on Thursday.
The theme of the Council Meeting is “Pressing Towards the Goal” with bishops of the various dioceses and their secretaries in attendance.
According to Bishop Onuoha, there is “need for vigilance in Igboland… no doubt that this nation is in an undeclared war with insurgency, banditry and other forms of criminality that appear to have overwhelmed our security agencies.The obvious reluctance to embrace modern method of cattle rearing and the move to acquire water ways across the nation may be a subtle attempt at encouraging a rampaging marauding force that is bent on conquest and subjugation to succeed.
“This development calls for vigilance especially in Igbo land. A situation where our forests and bushes have been taken over by foreigners is simply a disaster waiting to happen. Governors in the South Eastern States of this country should as a matter of urgency outlaw this incipient and insidious way of penetrating our communities as this will only lead to complete annihilation of our people in not too distant time. Our traditional rulers and community leaders should sufficiently educate their people on the dangers of accepting gratifications to compromise the safety of our people”.
He advised South East governors to work solidly with Ohanaeze Ndi- Igbo to eradicate insecurity by containing herdsmen marauding activities.
“South East governors and Ohanaeze Ndi- Igbo should stand up now to give leadership direction on the peace and safety of the people. Taking the lead in security matters in the manner of the South West governors will forestall the catastrophe that may ensue should this all important matter be left in the hands of militia groups”, Bishop Onuoha stated
While calling on the federal government to shun open grazing which he said has been obsolete across Africa, Bishop Onuoha advised the federal government to “pipe water from the South to recharge the Lake Chad so that the North East and North West zones will have enough vegetation to meet the grazing needs of the herdsmen and their cattle”.
The episcopacy also charged the federal government to maintain federal character to reduce the political marginalization of the Igbo in the Nigeria polity, urging citizens to keep to coronavirus measures for prevention and healthy life, advising that the Covid- 19 vaccines should not be compromised.
The church condemned the military carnage at Orlu and its environs while applauding the Archbishop for leading the archdiocese well, stating that the Ecclesiastical Province of Owerri is reputed as the most cohesive and peaceful in the whole Church of Nigeria, thanking pious and laity leaders of the archdiocese for growing the church and the society.
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