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You Can’t Conquer Our Forests, INC Dares Miyetti Allah
Following the pronouncement by the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) of already having its vigilante outfit across the 36 states of the federation, the Igbo National Council (INC) has insisted that their forest was no-go area for the Fulani herders just as it reminded them that its own local vigilante “Operation Lion Walk” set up to counter the activities of the Miyetti Allah vigilante, was still in place.
The National President of INC, Chilos Godsent, who disclosed this to newsmen, in Owerri, the Imo State capital, yesterday, explained that since the launch of the Igbo vigilante outfit on June 15, 2020, over 200 communities and pro-Igbo associations as well as groups across the Igbo-speaking states have taken it upon themselves to comb their forests for Fulani herdsmen.
Godsent also revealed that since the launch of the “Operation Ije Agu”, hundreds of herdsmen and many criminal gangs who were hiding in the various forests in many communities have been evicted, while some, he added have relocated deep into the forests or to other forests.
He said, “the Igbo National Council is not in doubt that the Miyetti Allah will regret if they dare step into any community of the Igbo nation state with arms in disguise of any form.
“We appreciate that the successful enforcement of the “Operation Ije Agu” has taken strong roots in the states of the Igbo nation now, and we are working tirelessly to strengthen the operation that has not fully commenced due to logistic and technical issues that are already being addressed.”
Godsent said INC has also saluted the courage and patriotism of Igbo youths, Igbo communities, traditional rulers and pro-Igbo groups that has rising up to the task of defending the Igbo nation from the several threats of invasion by the herdsmen.
According to him, “We are not cowards and can never be cowards. We once more reaffirm that open grazing is illegal and criminal offence in the Igbo Nation, therefore any group violating it does so at its own risk.