Izzi-Ukelle War and the Doctrine of Self Defence
Izzi-Ukelle War and the Doctrine of self defence
By Nwoba Chris Idoko
READERS will readily recall chapter (18) of "Achebe's Things Fall Apart". This work by an eminent post colonial colossus in part reads," If a man comes into my hut and defecates on the floor, what do I do,I will take a stick and break his head".
Thus,last few days, the people of Igbeagu community in Izzi local government area of Ebonyi State have witnessed unprovoked and unrestrained armed attack by the Ukelle people.
Ukelle people are palm wine tapers,fishermen, and hunters that hail from Wanokum in North-Ukelle.In their,expedition, they crossed the Enyim(Okporku)River into what today called South Ukelle in Gala LGA of Cross River State.Records available since 1919 showed that no mention was ever made of Ukelle as Izzi neighbours.
They never existed on this side of the Enyim River.Surprisingly, they want to super impose themselves on the Izzi people; the owners of the land.our experiences in the recent past explicate this position.
In 2005,in their bravado, begining from April 13,same year,they ran down not fewer than thirty (30) Izzi villages. These villages include Ndubia Mfuma 1 & 2,Ogbodo-Iphuigwe;Okwata1;Achacha1 & 2;Ochafu;Odariko 1 & 2;Ekori;Ndunwampfu;Nduogaga;Nduagoni;Nguji-Ola;Edukwpfu-Uzashi;Nduoffia;Nguji-Ndiegu;Omege Okwata;Okpoduma;Ibom;Enyim;Ogbodo Okumenyi; and Obegu Ochafu.
They threatened,pillaged,harvested,looted,and plundered people's crops, house property, not to mention colossal waste of human lives.Refugees and IDPs arising from displaced homes are still convalescing in their gory nightmare. This is just similar to the first 1st Deportation of the Jews by king Nebuchadnezzar (2nd Kgs24:10-17;Jer52:10-28) in the Bible.
In the second onslaught that began in June 2018,they have again attacked Izzi villages armed to the teeth.they have burnt over 30 houses Nkaleke, over 27 at Okwerike, over 29 at Ndi-Nwampfu,over 13 at Okwata, more than 13 at Ochafu and11 at Achacha 1 & 2.
Valuable properties are either destroyed or carted away. Animals are slaughtered and cooked.As cannibas,they are,they slaughtered and cook human bodies/parts for nourishment and reenforcement. In fact, about three hundred(300) lives have been lost,so many hospitalized as many more are maimed for life.This is "homo lupus est homini" (Man is wolf to man) of Hobbes state of nature, hitherto, chemicals are spread on rice swamps as yams and sundry crops are destroyed.
Again, this casts our mind back to the 2nd Deportation of the Jews in C597 BC that lasted for seventy (70) years.Psalm 137 captures the desperation of the Jews in Babylon. Many of us she tears when we listened to the tune of Bonny M,(1978) which in part reads, "By the rivers of Babylon, we sat and wept when we remember Zion" Ukelle people wreck their havoc and go ahead to raise false alarm.
In the face of this extreme provocation and invasion,we draw the attention of the general public, stakeholders, and governments to the doctrine of self defence.Izzi people have remained peace loving and law abiding, but when the war is taken to your home as the proverbial he-goat,what do you do?
Simpliciter,self defence refers to the right of an individual or group in response to any imminent threat of death,extinction or danger to self or property. Related discuss come as "Right to self defence"," Threat of force","Law of War","jus ad bellum"(right to war" or "casus belli'(cause of war).In England, this doctrine has been domesticated as " Castle Law/Habitation Law".In U.S,we have the Caroline Doctrine",1837;The Duty of Retreat/Requirement of safe Retreat". This means that one should avoid violence by retreat if possible. In Canada,Wales,Australia e.t.c,it comes in the couch of "Bodily Harm". In fact, the supreme Court ruling on " Brandenburg vs Ohio (1969)' establishes what is 'clear and imminent lawless action or present danger 'as occasion for self-defense.
Furthermore, Japan July 1,2014, announced the policy of collective defence. We must agree that these enunciations are by civilized countries of the world. Even the United Nations charter/articles permit the use of necessary and proportionate force in the face of imminent aggressive threat.Article 51 says ,"Nothing in the present charter shall impair the inherent right if individual or collective self defence in an armed attack " .Again, it continues,states are obliged to rely on their own means in defending themselves against external aggression.
Therefore, the basic minimum of this doctrine dhows that it is a right protected by law and civilized practice .It must be imminent danger and proportionate force, in terms of quantum and intensity , to be employed by the defence to ward off the imminent danger of extinction.
On this authority, Igbeagu publicity Committee appeals to the general public, stakeholders, governments, local, State,and federal including agencies to intervene urgently so that Izzi people will not resort to self-help. Achebe's Things Fall Apart and the Doctrine of self defense become, once again, a reference point in the face of armed aggression by Ukelle Warlords and their hired dare-devil mercenaries.
Chris Nwoba
Is an expert in International Relations and Diplomacy History.
By Nwoba Chris Idoko
READERS will readily recall chapter (18) of "Achebe's Things Fall Apart". This work by an eminent post colonial colossus in part reads," If a man comes into my hut and defecates on the floor, what do I do,I will take a stick and break his head".
Thus,last few days, the people of Igbeagu community in Izzi local government area of Ebonyi State have witnessed unprovoked and unrestrained armed attack by the Ukelle people.
Ukelle people are palm wine tapers,fishermen, and hunters that hail from Wanokum in North-Ukelle.In their,expedition, they crossed the Enyim(Okporku)River into what today called South Ukelle in Gala LGA of Cross River State.Records available since 1919 showed that no mention was ever made of Ukelle as Izzi neighbours.
They never existed on this side of the Enyim River.Surprisingly, they want to super impose themselves on the Izzi people; the owners of the land.our experiences in the recent past explicate this position.
In 2005,in their bravado, begining from April 13,same year,they ran down not fewer than thirty (30) Izzi villages. These villages include Ndubia Mfuma 1 & 2,Ogbodo-Iphuigwe;Okwata1;Achacha1 & 2;Ochafu;Odariko 1 & 2;Ekori;Ndunwampfu;Nduogaga;Nduagoni;Nguji-Ola;Edukwpfu-Uzashi;Nduoffia;Nguji-Ndiegu;Omege Okwata;Okpoduma;Ibom;Enyim;Ogbodo Okumenyi; and Obegu Ochafu.
They threatened,pillaged,harvested,looted,and plundered people's crops, house property, not to mention colossal waste of human lives.Refugees and IDPs arising from displaced homes are still convalescing in their gory nightmare. This is just similar to the first 1st Deportation of the Jews by king Nebuchadnezzar (2nd Kgs24:10-17;Jer52:10-28) in the Bible.
In the second onslaught that began in June 2018,they have again attacked Izzi villages armed to the teeth.they have burnt over 30 houses Nkaleke, over 27 at Okwerike, over 29 at Ndi-Nwampfu,over 13 at Okwata, more than 13 at Ochafu and11 at Achacha 1 & 2.
Valuable properties are either destroyed or carted away. Animals are slaughtered and cooked.As cannibas,they are,they slaughtered and cook human bodies/parts for nourishment and reenforcement. In fact, about three hundred(300) lives have been lost,so many hospitalized as many more are maimed for life.This is "homo lupus est homini" (Man is wolf to man) of Hobbes state of nature, hitherto, chemicals are spread on rice swamps as yams and sundry crops are destroyed.
Again, this casts our mind back to the 2nd Deportation of the Jews in C597 BC that lasted for seventy (70) years.Psalm 137 captures the desperation of the Jews in Babylon. Many of us she tears when we listened to the tune of Bonny M,(1978) which in part reads, "By the rivers of Babylon, we sat and wept when we remember Zion" Ukelle people wreck their havoc and go ahead to raise false alarm.
In the face of this extreme provocation and invasion,we draw the attention of the general public, stakeholders, and governments to the doctrine of self defence.Izzi people have remained peace loving and law abiding, but when the war is taken to your home as the proverbial he-goat,what do you do?
Simpliciter,self defence refers to the right of an individual or group in response to any imminent threat of death,extinction or danger to self or property. Related discuss come as "Right to self defence"," Threat of force","Law of War","jus ad bellum"(right to war" or "casus belli'(cause of war).In England, this doctrine has been domesticated as " Castle Law/Habitation Law".In U.S,we have the Caroline Doctrine",1837;The Duty of Retreat/Requirement of safe Retreat". This means that one should avoid violence by retreat if possible. In Canada,Wales,Australia e.t.c,it comes in the couch of "Bodily Harm". In fact, the supreme Court ruling on " Brandenburg vs Ohio (1969)' establishes what is 'clear and imminent lawless action or present danger 'as occasion for self-defense.
Furthermore, Japan July 1,2014, announced the policy of collective defence. We must agree that these enunciations are by civilized countries of the world. Even the United Nations charter/articles permit the use of necessary and proportionate force in the face of imminent aggressive threat.Article 51 says ,"Nothing in the present charter shall impair the inherent right if individual or collective self defence in an armed attack " .Again, it continues,states are obliged to rely on their own means in defending themselves against external aggression.
Therefore, the basic minimum of this doctrine dhows that it is a right protected by law and civilized practice .It must be imminent danger and proportionate force, in terms of quantum and intensity , to be employed by the defence to ward off the imminent danger of extinction.
On this authority, Igbeagu publicity Committee appeals to the general public, stakeholders, governments, local, State,and federal including agencies to intervene urgently so that Izzi people will not resort to self-help. Achebe's Things Fall Apart and the Doctrine of self defense become, once again, a reference point in the face of armed aggression by Ukelle Warlords and their hired dare-devil mercenaries.
Chris Nwoba
Is an expert in International Relations and Diplomacy History.
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