Invasion of Enugu radio station— Police boss opens up

Recently, a pro-Biafran group, Biafran Zionist Federation, BZF, led by Benjamim Onwuka, who allegedly attacked Government House, Enugu on March 8 struck again in the early hours of June 6 at the Enugu State Broadcasting Service, ESBS, in an attempt to seize the radio and television station for a broadcast. The move was, however, foiled by a team of Policemen.


At the end of a shootout that ensued, a Police Sergeant and a member of the group were killed while the Inspector that led the team was seriously wounded. The Police team demonstrated bravery by pursuing fleeing members of the group until 12 of them were rounded up with their leader. The suspects have since been flown to Force Headquarters, Abuja for further investigation.

Commissioner of Police, Enugu State, Adamu Mohammed who hinted that his men were on top of the situation even before they struck told Vanguard newspapers, how the deadly operation was carried out and the after-effects. He also spoke on other security issues.

Excerpts:

ZIONIST Movement

We got information of their coming because we have infiltrated them before they could make a live broadcast. After gaining access to ESBS, they went straight to the studio and met journalists on duty and wanted to force them to make live broadcast so that the general public could hear what they are saying.

They summarized what they wanted to tell the people in a paper. When they stormed the ESBS, they were well armed with machetes and guns which they used in killing a policeman and with 25 litres of petrol and beer bottles which they wanted to use as petrol bombs.

Breach of peace

We have transferred them to Force CID. Abuja. We are nosing around, anybody associated with the group, no matter his position in society; we will not hesitate to pick him up and make sure that justice is done and prevent them from causing breach of peace in the country.

You know the membership cuts across the country. When they invaded Government House, Enugu, we arrested some of their members. During the failed attempt to make a live broadcast, we also arrested some, so it is a continuous exercise. We will be monitoring their activities, whenever we get reports that they are going to meet, we will get there and arrest them.

Between the Zionists and MASSOB

I don’t have any problem with any other group except this Biafran Zionists. I have never had any confrontation with any other group.

Security situation in Enugu

Enugu State is very lucky, the crime rate is low. However, from time to time, these boys waylay people but we always record low cost in loss of lives from those that snatch cars from people. But in 99% cases, we do recover the vehicles.

The magic wand

There is no magic. As I told you, security is a collective responsibility. Everybody is involved. When members of the public see what is happening and tell us on time, we prevent it. Whenever a crime is committed and we are quickly informed, we mobilize our men within the area and we apprehend the people. We have courageous officers that are also dedicated to their jobs, they are willing at anytime to confront any group of criminals. So, the dedication of officers and men of the command is also contributing to bringing crimes to its barest minimum.

Killings in Enugu-Ezike

We have beefed up security in Enugu-Ezike. As I am talking to you, there is something we are doing there and we wouldn’t want to say it publicly but, within the weekend, you will see what is going to happen there. This is because we have gone underground to make sure that those criminals disturbing people are arrested and taken out of the place.

Clashes between Fulani herdsmen and some communities

I want to use this opportunity to debunk in strongest terms, recent reports that Fulani herdsmen clashed with some people in Ezeagu L.G.A. of the state. Ezeagu is a very peaceful place, there is no problem with Fulani herdsmen. The chairman of the local government has constituted security committee made up of officials of the local government, the DPO, Fulani leaders and other community leaders including the local people. They have been meeting once every month to discuss security within the local government and there has never been any crisis between the Fulanis and local people and any other ethnic group in Ezeagu.

This week, I had a meeting with a larger group in the state just for the purpose of security. I had meetings with all the Fulani in Enugu State, all the local government chairmen were there and the traditional rulers of all the communities were in attendance including all groups of people that rear cattle. We all brainstormed on the issue of Fulani attacking indigenes.

The real criminals

It was concluded that the people committing crimes are just common criminals and are not associated with any ethnic group. From time to time, cattle stray to people’s farms and any time the cattle eat crops from the farms, the Fulanis settle the matter with the farm owners by paying compensations and any time the local people kill any of their cattle, the local people pay compensation. So, they live harmoniously without any problem. If anybody ambushes any group of people along the road and dispossesses them of their telephones or properties, they are just common criminals, so the issue of Fulanis invading communities in Enugu does not arise.

The traditional ruler of the community has said that he did not tell anybody that there was crisis in his community. So also did the local government chairman. I want to assure you that we all are on ground, dealing with security issues in the state. We have not seen any invasion of Ezeagu or any other community in the state by any group of people. There is no crisis between the Fulanis and Ezeagu community not to talk of carrying arms to the extent of terrorizing anybody. The annoying aspect of the report is that we were not even contacted to state our side of the story.

So, where did he get his report? And even if he wants to write on security issues, if he gets any information, he should have gotten to us before publishing. He never contacted the PRO nor myself or even the chairman of the local government and the traditional ruler and went to write something that can incite the community. What he wrote can cause breach of peace.

Security implications

When people from all over the country start calling to know what is happening in Ezeagu L.G.A. because they read about the crisis, you know it can cause one ethnic group fighting against the other which will breach peace. People should discountenance any crime news associated with any ethnic group. Crime is crime, it should not be incited or be made to look like an ethnic group are criminals. People should always be vigilant. Fulanis should not be seen as people who are going to invade them and take over their communities. They should look at them as people who are coming around and willing to stay with them and operate mutually. Fulanis have lived in Igboland for so long that they don’t know where they come from. They are now being referred to as Igbo-Fulani, they even speak Igbo language. So, they are members of the communities. People should not use these kind of publications to create disunity.