By Emman Ovuakporie & Johnbosco Agbakwuru

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwanyi  could not stand the sight  of what suspected herdsmen did to  his people in Ukpabi-Nimbo, in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State and he wept.

He must have wondered  whether those who carried out the massacre in the community  were fellow Nigerians.

Many lawmakers described the attack on the Enugu community as another civil war.

President Muhammadu Buhari suddenly woke up from his slumber and ordered the arrest of the herdsmen.

The House of Representatives, last Tuesday, mandated the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Solomon Arase, to immediately carry out a thorough investigation and bring to justice  the perpetrators

Some of the lawmakers, who spoke to Sunday Vanguard, condemned the attack and dismissed the grazing bills before the House.

*This is a manifestation of another civil war – Chairman, House Committee on Aviation, Hon Nkeiruka Onyejeocha

Onyejeocha, who represents Isuikwuato/Umunnochi Federal Constituency of Abia, said  the attacks by  herdsmen on soft targets were gradually assuming a frightening national security challenge.

She said the Enugu attack, allegedly carried out by over 500 armed herdsmen, calls to question the effectiveness of intelligence gathering, proactive policing and the combat readiness of  security agencies.

According to her, the  incident  was worrisome because security reports had warned of  impeding attack, yet nothing was done to nip the development in the bud.

While charging religious and political leaders to condemn incendiary activities of  herdsmen, she added that their murderous activities are a danger in the belly of our nation.

She said, “We should not over-stretch the patience of Nigerians. All the factors that led to the previous civil war are staring on the face.

“The consequences  would be dire for  national stability and cohesion. President Muhammadu Buharu should rise up to the occasion and rejig the security architecture of the nation.

“He should give marching orders to heads of  security agencies to deal decisively with the terrorists who masquerade as herdsmen”.

On the proposed grazing bills before the House, Onyejeocha declared: “Who will give them land for what and what will happen to our cassava and yams?  After all, they even said that cow meat is not good”.

Following Enugu massacre, we’ll resist grazing bills – Hon Uzoma Nkem-Abonta

Abonta, who represents Ukwa East/West Constituency of Abia, described the herdsmen’s attack as a development that will make Nigerians resist the three grazing bills before the House.

He said: “We shall use every available legislative instrument to kill the bills because they will further impoverish Southern Nigeria”.

“I have more than 200 sms from my constituents asking me to ensure that those bills are not passed and I don’t have any choice than to adequately represent their interests.

“The Fulani are nomads in nature and we are talking about increasing animal husbandry as well as increasing the production. Therefore we must find a balance how that should be done. In the House, there are three bills that have been consolidated and the bills talk about having a grazing route and as well as having increasing reserves where herdsmen can do their business.

“But I want to point out clearly here now that government has got no business doing business. We must also begin to look at issues the way it is being done worldwide and have the best practices”.