Human rights lawyer, Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor (KSC), has issued a call to action, warning that the South-East region of Nigeria, known as Ala-Igbo, is facing an escalating threat from armed herdsmen invasions.
He urged governors, local leaders, and communities to unite in forming a coordinated defensive front to protect the region from further violence and displacement.
In a detailed statement released Monday, Ejiofor expressed deep concern over what he described as the “systematic occupation” of forests, farmlands, and rural communities by heavily armed herdsmen, allegedly of Fulani extraction. He cited a growing number of cases involving killings, kidnappings, rape, farmland destruction, and extortion, particularly targeting vulnerable rural dwellers.
“This is no longer speculation or rumor,” Ejiofor said. “Our mothers, the very women who feed this region, are being forced to beg for access to their own ancestral farmlands now occupied by foreign armed herders.”
He referenced a recent distress meeting in Amansea, Awka, Anambra State, where local women reportedly pleaded with self-proclaimed herdsmen “landlords” for access to their lands. Indigenous Hausa residents also reportedly expressed fear and frustration over the worsening security situation.
Communities in Uzo-Uwani, Eha-Amufu, Isi-Uzo, Ihiala, and other parts of the region have reported similar patterns of occupation and intimidation, prompting Ejiofor to warn that Ala-Igbo may be on the brink of another humanitarian crisis if urgent steps are not taken.
“Ala-Igbo bears the scars of genocide from the 1960s,” he said. “We must not allow history to repeat itself—whether by war, neglect, or calculated silence.”
Ejiofor emphasized that the failure to enforce existing anti-open grazing laws across the South-East is partly responsible for the growing impunity of the herders. While states like Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo have passed anti-grazing legislation, enforcement remains weak.
He condemned recent viral footage showing herders openly grazing cattle in Owerri, the Imo State capital, in violation of the law—with no official response from authorities.
“Must we wait until the kind of massacres seen in Benue and Plateau happen here before we act?” he asked.
Ejiofor called for the full enforcement of anti-grazing laws, strengthening of local vigilante networks, inter-community intelligence sharing, and greater accountability from federal security agencies. He also encouraged documentation of incidents and engagement with local and international human rights groups to prevent further displacement.
Drawing inspiration from the South-West’s local resistance models, Ejiofor urged Igbo communities to rise in lawful, organized defense, stressing that security must underpin any form of development.
“Development without security is hollow, unsustainable, and ultimately meaningless,” he said.
In concluding, Ejiofor reaffirmed the resilience of the Igbo spirit but stressed that resilience must now transform into decisive action.
“Ala-Igbo cannot, and will not be surrendered,” he declared.
The statement ended with a message of unity and peace:
“Udo diri Ala-Igbo. Udo diri ndi Igbo. Udo diri Biafra.”
(Peace to Ala-Igbo. Peace to the Igbo people. Peace to Biafra.)
