The Isi-Uzo Local Government Council has addressed the protest by women from the Eha-Amufu communities that occurred on Tuesday, attributing it to deliberate misinformation and the politicisation of security issues in the Local Government Area (LGA) by certain political actors.
The Council stated that the recent video featuring women protesting alleged killings by herders in Eha-Amufu was driven by “total misinformation” and does not accurately reflect the security situation in Isi-Uzo LGA since Governor Peter Mbah took office. The Council’s clarifications were articulated in a statement by the Council Chairman, Barr. Obiora Obeagu, released on Wednesday.
Obeagu condemned what he termed a malicious attempt to undermine and embroil the numerous critical infrastructural and development initiatives spearheaded by the governor in Eha-Amufu, including the significant 21.7km Agape-Agu Mgbuji-Ogbete Road, the Produce City, the deployment of over 100 military and security personnel, and plans for permanent security camps.
“On Tuesday, 4th March 2025, I met with the protesting Eha-Ohuala women who had come to my office at the Isi-Uzo Local Government headquarters in Ikem. They conveyed a series of alarming revelations that clearly indicated their emotions had been stirred by false narratives propagated by certain political actors.
“Specifically, despite prior engagements with stakeholders by the state government, they were led to believe that all cattle in the Eha-Amufu farm settlement belonged to the government, which they interpreted as a reason for the planned ranching project. They were also misled into thinking that the Farm Estate and Produce City projects were schemes by the government to seize their land for herders of a specific tribe, thus leading them to oppose any government projects in our communities.
“Moreover, as evidenced by the trending videos, the women’s grievances related to incidents from several years ago concerning farm settlements and their desire for the government to assist them in permanently returning to their farms,” he stated.
He further asserted, “I must emphasise that the protest on Tuesday was a sponsored event and a political ploy orchestrated by malicious individuals who misled the protesting women with lies for their own political gain.
“While we acknowledge an unfortunate incident of rape that occurred on 17th February 2025, which I addressed by covering the woman’s hospital bills after her discharge, the claim regarding a stick being inserted into her private part is false.”
“We recognise that there have been incidents of clashes between farmers and herders across the communities of Isi-Uzo LGA, particularly along the borders with Benue and Ebonyi States, dating back over 15 years.
“However, the Governor Peter Mbah Administration has been tirelessly collaborating with Isi-Uzo Local Government to confront and resolve these issues in our farm settlements and other security challenges through substantial security measures, infrastructural development, and agricultural projects like the Produce Cities and Farm Estates, all aimed at ensuring productive use and effective governance for the socio-economic growth of the state.
“Contrary to the assertions made in the protest videos and other misleading reports, including recent fabricated accounts suggesting killings in Nkalaeha, a neighbouring community in Ebonyi as occurring in Eha-Amufu, the current administration has made significant strides in restoring order, peace, and security in both Eha-Amufu and Isi-Uzo. A key indicator of this progress is that there are presently no Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps within the entire Isi-Uzo, having eliminated them just months after the governor’s inauguration. Our citizens are safe in their homes, unlike in 2022 when both traditional and religious leaders were compelled to relocate from Eha-Amufu to other towns.”
The Council urged “those who incite conflict and instigate protests to cease such activities, considering the interests of our communities.” Additionally, an Eha-Amufu-based clergyman and some political figures identified by the women as sponsors of the protests are expected to face investigation by security agencies.
