By Chinedu Adonu

The Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), a non-governmental organization of the Roman Catholic Church, has raised alarm over the rising spate of killings by non-state actors across Nigeria, describing the situation as a siege that demands urgent government intervention.

Rev. Fr. Donatus Onuigbo, Director of JDPC, Enugu, made the declaration during a two-day programme titled “Institutional Strengthening and Agenda Setting” held in Enugu. The event was organized by ActionAid in collaboration with the South Saharan Social Development Organization (SSDO) and brought together local government chairmen across the state.

Onuigbo decried the devaluation of human life in Nigeria, contrasting it with the high regard for life in other countries.

“In other countries, human life is sacred. In Germany, the President visited a location because a child died. But here in Nigeria, over 200 people could be killed and it is merely labelled a ‘herders-farmers clash,’ with little to no government response,” he lamented.

He stressed the need for urgent and coordinated government action to end the cycle of violence.

“People are being massacred and slaughtered across the country, yet those in positions of authority show no sense of urgency. I once visited the UK, and when a hooligan killed three children, it sparked nationwide protests, from the South to Scotland. But here, mass killings hardly make the news, and nobody seems to know what really happened.”

He warned that continued inaction could plunge the country into anarchy, affecting all citizens regardless of social status.

“If society descends into chaos, everyone will suffer – the rich, the elite, the politicians, and even the clergy. Laws will be meaningless, and governance will collapse. That is why we must act now.”

Onuigbo also questioned the ambiguous use of terms like “herders-farmers clash,” noting that the so-called herders have not publicly identified any grievances.

“The real danger is that these criminals are faceless. Who are they? When we talk about herders-farmers conflict, what exactly is the issue? Have the herders ever come out to state their problems? Communities are under siege, and we must face the facts and act swiftly.”

Also speaking at the event, Chairman of Nsukka Local Government Area, Engr. Jude Asogwa, praised ActionAid and the Enugu State Government for facilitating the platform, which he said allows leaders to interact directly with the people.

He outlined his administration’s efforts to empower youths, including the establishment of a tech hub for training in artificial intelligence and other technological skills, as well as road construction and other infrastructural projects.

Presenting a charter of demands on behalf of Eha-Amufu youths, Kingsley Ogbodo lamented widespread insecurity, poor road infrastructure, lack of potable water, and absence of telecommunications services in many communities.

“In Ihenyi community, farmers are discouraged from cultivating their lands because of the terrible roads – there’s simply no way to transport produce. We have no electricity, no telecom network, and no access to clean water,” he said.

“In Abor Isi-Ala, insecurity is a major issue. The community also lacks a secondary school, forcing children to travel long distances for education. We call on the state government to demarcate the boundary between Enugu and Kogi States, as over 20 communities in Isi-Uzo have been displaced due to herders’ attacks.”

Also speaking, Uche Ayogu, representing youths from Igbo-Eze North, appealed to the council chairman to scrap burial and marriage levies and reduce the N36,000 annual market levy, which he described as excessive.

“Most market women cannot afford such heavy levies. Additionally, Fulani herders recently attacked Amaja community, and although they were armed, their guns reportedly failed. Still, this shows the urgency of strengthening local security,” he said.