The deadly attack which claimed the lives of almost 20 people and left scores injured was seemingly unprovoked as there had been no apparent trigger.
Now according to the leader of the Fulani community in the South East geo-political zone of the country and also the deputy leader of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, South East chapter, Alhaji Ardo Saidu Baso, the reason has been revealed.
According to online source heroesreallife, In an interview conducted in Enugu, Alhaji Ardo claimed that the Fulani attacks were retaliatory in nature as they were in response to four Fulanis being killed around Ukpabi-Nimbo December last year. Ardo claimed again that in less than a week two boys were also killed.
According to the Fulani leader, the father of the boys who was based in Nasarawa heard of the death of his boys and visited Uzo-Uwani to find out what happened only for him to also be killed.
This according to Ardo sparked the reaction.
Ardo on his part said that he’d known about the impending attack on Nimbo and that he had informed the local government chairman, the governor, the state commissioner of police and the Area Commander of police at Nsukka in the hopes of heading things off.
According to him, he’d allegedly even embarked on a journey to Nasarawa attempt to get the stakeholders involved in the tragedy together for the purposes of dialogue.
The Fulani leader stated that on reaching Otukpo in Benue State, he learnt that the Fulanis from Nasarawa State had already camped at the bush in Amaeke Nsukka ready to attack and on hearing this rushed back to inform the council boss.
He stated that he was surprised and dismayed that despite all his efforts to stop the disaster, nothing was done to prevent it by the relevant authorities.