The Ebonyi State Government has exonerated herdsmen from the attack which occurred at Umuogudu Akpu-Ngbo community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the State in the early hours of Monday.
This was contained in a statement issued by the deputy governor of the state, Dr Kelechi Igwe, and was made available to journalists through his Press Secretary, Mr Monday Uzor.
But few natives claimed that the attackers were herdsmen while many pointed accusing fingers at a group from Benue.
Dr Igwe, who condemned the attack, however, called on those sponsoring the report to turn a new leave.
“We use this opportunity to call on those sponsoring such report to verify their information before going to the press.
“So far, preliminary investigations reveal that the attack was not carried out by Fulani herdsmen as being speculated in different quarters but is linked to the age-long crisis between the community and their Agila neighbours of Benue State.
“Also, the government of Ebonyi State is in touch with the leadership of the Fulani herdsmen (Miyetti Allah) who denied involvement in the attack.
“The leadership of the Fulani herdsmen has assured the government and people of Ebonyi State that they will not on any account perpetrate an attack on any part of Ebonyi State,” he explained.
The deputy governor further called on the people of Ngbo not to avenge but to remain law abiding.
“The General Public and in particular the people of Ngbo are requested to remain law-abiding and avoid reprisal as the government is working hard to restore normalcy to the affected community.”
“Please, be assured of the readiness of the Governor David Nweze Umahi- led administration to secure the lives and property of citizens at all times,” he stated.
The speculations linking the attack to herdsmen were raised by few natives.
The attack according to a source took place in Otuebu and Obodo Ocha villages, Umuogodo-Akpu Ngbo community, in the Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
At the moment, normalcy has returned to the area owning to the prompt deployment of a joint armed security team comprising soldiers and policemen to the area.
But a native, who had served as a state chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon Eze Nwachukwu, told journalists on behalf of the community that only four people were killed.
