Five days after suspected herdsmen attacked Nimbo community in Enugu State, leaving many people dead, the Governor of the State, Mr Ifeanyi Uguwanyi, is blaming security operatives for the carnage.
In an emergency meeting held on Friday to postmortem the attack, the Governor alleged that he had mobilised the security operatives, having received intelligence report on the attack.
Governor Uguwanyi said the officers failed the state and the nation and must explain to Nigerians why their action should not be seen as sabotage.
Those present at the meeting were the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, some members of the National Assembly, members of the State Executive Council and members of the security operatives themselves.
After the Governor accused the security agencies, efforts were made to get the comments of the security operatives on the issues.
They refused to respond to the Governor’s accusation, claiming that their office was regimented, which meant they were very strictly controlled and that they take instructions from higher authorities.
Others present at Friday’s emergency meeting, were the State Director of Department for State Services, Mr Abdul Malik, the Garrison Commander, Brigadier General Olufemi Akinjobi and the Commissioner of Police, Mr Eke-Chukwu Nwodibo.
On the day of the incident, the Commissioner of Police had claimed that the attack was carried out by hoodlums and not herdsmen.
The Security Chiefs, according to the Governor, failed to act in the interest of the community despite having prior intelligence on the herdsmen invasion.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Nigeria Police Force said it had started the construction of a new Divisional Police Station in Nkpologu, near Nimbo community in Enugu State attacked by suspected herdsmen on Monday.
According to the Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, the station would increase security presence in the area and help prevent further attacks.
Mr Arase has further ordered the detention of a policeman, identified as Corporal Chukwu, who allegedly collaborated with herdsmen during the killing of residents in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State.
Mr Arase has also directed that the policeman be detained and properly investigated.
Nimbo community, a once happy community, is now a ghost town.
In plain sight are deserted homes empty market stands and domestic animals, abandoned by their owners, taking their time to stray.
The police have confirmed seven dead, but the community search parties claimed more people were slain.