The dreaded Bakassi Boys, which reigned supreme in the South-East, particularly in Onitsha, Anambra State, in the late 90s, has added its voice to the call by Igbo groups that Fulani herdsmen should leave the South-East.
This followed the recent killings of about 46 Nimbo villagers in Enugu State by suspected herdsmen. Strong indications had emerged during the week that the people of the South- East may have resorted to reviving the feared ‘Bakassi Boys’ as a standby militia to avert such attacks in Igboland in future.
The indications emerged on a day a former Governor of Imo State, Dr. Ikedi Ohakim, called on Ndigbo to be vigilant, tactful and careful in handling the myriad of challenges currently confronting them as a people, especially in the face of wanton attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen. Also, Abia State Government yesterday said it had resuscitated the Bakassi Boys to complement the effort of security operatives with particular interest for the rural communities.
But rising from its meeting in Enugu, the Concerned Imeobi meeting of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, had observed, after a review of the whole situation, that the security situation in Igboland was generally porous, hence the need to “resurrect” the Bakassi Boys.
Saturday Telegraph gathered that the Bakassi Boys, who were ruthless in visiting jungle justice on persons believed to have been involved in perpetrating vices and societal ills, was believed to be a force that “could match words with action”.
The members who, according to the myth, could survive live ammunition, purportedly wielded a special kind of machete they used in confirming the guilt of suspected evil doers. Speaking to Saturday Telegraph on condition of anonymity, a former member of the group, who lamented that the activities of the herdsmen had assumed a “worrisome dimension” warned that the “atrocities against Igbos must end.”
He said: “It is important that the violence attributed to herdsmen is addressed and curbed to ensure the safety, well-being and unity of the people and the country. It is better something drastic is put in place to checkmate the activities of some of these herdsmen before they set this country on fire.
The source added: “If the herdsmen should continue like this, then they are invariably calling for our (Bakassi Boys) resurrection because we had gone to sleep. This is more than what a government should keep mute over.
The corporate existence of this country is at stake.” Prior to this, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigerian (MACBAN), had explained that the Fulani herdsmen, who were allegedly involved in serial killings in various communities in the country, murdered their hosts in self-defence.
However, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, who announced revival of Bakassi Boys yesterday in a statement he personally issued in reaction to the murder of a butcher at the Aba Waterside Abattoir by a soldier, said the training, which will last for two weeks, is to ward off any attack from any of the precincts of the state.
He said each community should send the list of 10 young men to the Abia State Vigilance Service (aka Bakassi Boys) to be trained in the strong force that would mount 24-hour surveillance and vigilance across the state.
He mandated traditional rulers in the state to submit names of “10 youths from their community to the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs from May 10 to 11.” The governor added:
“I have directed that the men of the Abia State Vigilante Services (AVS), popularly known as Bakassi, to commence, with immediate effect, a two week intensive training, for onward deployment to our communities to assist in community policing under the supervision of the Commissioner of Police.”
Ikpeazu also adopted the resolution of the state House of Assembly mandating security agencies in the state to search all Abia bound vehicles and trucks conveying livestock, food items and persons from any part of the country. The statement reads:
“The law enforcement agencies will also search and screen markets and settlements where livestock and dealers are, to ensure security. “The government of Abia State has constituted a Farmers/Herdsmen Conflict Resolution Committee.
The Commissioner of Police will head the committee. Other members of the committee are: The Brigade Commander, State Director of DSS, State Commandant of the NSCDC, the Naval Commander, Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, State Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Myati Allah and Saraki Hausa.
The governor, therefore, directed the people of the state to report suspicious movement of strange persons in their area to the appropriate quarters. Meanwhile, Ohakim, who is the principal convener of the Igbo Conversational Group (ICG), hinted that he and other stakeholders have commenced extensive consultations with other interest groups across the country to ensure that a lasting and equitable solution is achieved in the shortest possible time. He said: “We are talking, we are negotiating, not out of fear, but out of love for our people.
We must think of what is best for our people, before any other thing. Our people, especially the youths must be careful not to be provoked into taking up arms, because that is the target of our enemies.
“We do not fear war, because we are not cowards, but we know that every war ends with a peace talk, after blood have been spilled and innocent lives lost. That is why we want to start with a peace initiative.” The former governor expressed disappointment over the killing Thursday of two butchers by soldiers in Aba, Abia State, as well as the killings in Nimbo, Uzo-Uwani in Enugu State.
