The youth of Abia State have staged peaceful protest in different locations of the state, protesting against Fulani ethnic groups kidnapping them to collect ransom or kill Igbo people.
They equally alleged men of the Nigerian Army of aiding the notorious Fulani to unleash terror on Igbos.
According to some trending videos from the region, the youth of Isuochi Umunneochi in Abia State asked the Federal Government to remove soldiers from the state and allow the indigenes to secure themselves against the Fulani people making life difficult for them.
They also accused soldiers of joining the Fulani to kill innocent people in the region.
While on the road, they exhibited placards with different inscriptions of their demands.
They occupied the main roads and did not bulge when some soldiers arrived at the protest areas, shouting at them to leave their land because they are destructive agents.
The protesters, in chorus, said, “Army must go. The army must go. Nobody should run from army. We are crying. We are saying no more to the military. These people are killing us. These people have killed us. Let us secure our community by our humble selves. This is just a peaceful protest. we don’t need the military. Let the military go away from us. The military should go. We are no longer comfortable with their services. Let us secure ourselves by our humble selves”.
A police officer, who identified himself as CSP John Bull, a Commander of Rapid Response Squad, Abia State, gave credence to the allegations levied against Fulani people and soldiers, saying the soldiers deployed to the region have become a major security problem and they should be removed.
His words, ” My name is CSP John Bull. I am the Commander of Rapid Response Squad, Abia State. I was sent here by the commissioner of police two days ago to come and assist the people of Sochi to do away with all these kidnappers, the Fulanis who are kidnapping our people that are coming home, they are kidnapping them. We are not happy about it. Yesterday night I sent my men to Kato Market to go there and spend money. After kidnapping our people, they will collect ransom, they will go and spend it there. The army is not helping us.”
Nigerians have been reacting to the protesting saying that it is a step in the right direction.
One Ojio in his tweet said, “amUmeOjiOforNnia@Ezepatricktwit1Youths Of Isuochi Umunneochi Protests Against Nigeria Terrorists In Uniform In Their Axis To Leave Their Environs Because They Aid/Shielding Foolani Terror*st In Kidnapping And Other Criminalities In Their Area. Very Good One.”
Also, Amaka said, “The Mouthpiece@Real_AmakaIkeNow You Know Why Nigeria Army Are Busy Battling With #ESN, While Their Fulani Foot-soldiers Are Busy Terrorizing With Impunity Unchallenged. Protest in Abia community over incessant kidnappings by herdsmen.”