Social Media users in Nigeria harnessed online platforms on Monday to speak to power especially on matters bordering on the country’s security challenges.
The following trends thrived with the most engagements across social platforms.
Orlu, Imo State
Residents of Orlu in Imo have reported a state of unrest in the South-Eastern region that has led to loss of lives and properties, following violent clashes between security forces and members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) set up by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
According to video footages shared by eyewitnesses on social media, security personnel who invaded the town could be seen shooting sporadically while bodies littered the streets.
Although, the nature of the incident is unknown, speculations are that the situation was a planned reprisal attack by the Nigerian military deployed from the 34 Artillery Brigade in Obinze, after a clash between ESN corps and the military had resulted in deaths.
The group had released a video which went viral last week, boasting that they had confronted and dislodged some security men who attacked them and displayed the vehicles the military had abandoned while escaping.
Social Media users have called on the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, to respond to the situation and call the military to order.
The governor has however declared a dusk to dawn curfew in nine local government areas of the state, and has ordered the immediate arrest of the perpetrators.
Fayemi
Twitter users are dragging Governor of Ekiti state, Kayode Fayemi, for insisting that herdsmen could not leave Ondo State in line with a seven-days ultimatum provided by the state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu last week for herders to vacate forest reserves due to increase in criminal activities carried out in the bushes.
Fayemi had in a meeting on Monday with the national leadership of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) and a few state governors at Akure, noted that herders were not asked to vacate the state, but should be properly licensed to operate in the forest reserves adding that the Fulanis were welcomed to stay as the South-West was their home.
“This is your home. You’ve lived here, married and done business with us. Nobody is going anywhere. The statement by the Ondo State Government had no eviction reference. Akeredolu cannot ask Fulani to vacate Ondo State. The area concerned is the forest reserves, and it is about registration and also to work in line with the law,” Fayemi said.
“What we are after is the criminals, not Fulani herdsmen, criminals are criminals irrespective of their ethnic group,” he added
