The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called for urgent government action following escalating violence in the Amakohia-Ubi community of Owerri West Local Council, Imo State, where suspected armed Fulani herders recently attacked residents.

The assault left a vigilante leader dead, with others reportedly missing or injured. In response, HURIWA urged Governor Hope Uzodimma to implement decisive measures to prevent further killings of Imo citizens.

The group also pressed the state’s police commissioner to update the public on efforts to apprehend gunmen responsible for recent attacks in Arondizuogu, Ideato North Local Council, where more than two dozen people were killed. HURIWA noted that the police had identified the attackers’ group earlier but expressed concern over what it described as a lack of progress in the investigation.

“We demand from the police, whose duty is to maintain internal security and prevent the killing of innocent citizens of Imo State,” the association stated.

Through its national coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA condemned the unchecked passage of armed Fulani insurgents posing as herders into communities, accusing them of causing deaths, farm destruction and widespread frustration among farmers. The group warned that failure by security agencies to act may push citizens to resort to self-defence.

HURIWA also criticised the state government for failing to enforce laws against the destruction of farms, stressing that a fresh incident on Wednesday evening forced residents to flee to neighbouring communities for safety, heightening fears of a looming food crisis.