Many killed as suspected herders attack Enugu community
A farming community, Abor in Eha-Amufu, Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State, was on Sunday thrown into confusion when suspected herders attacked the community and allegedly killed unspecified number of people
Penpushing reports that, the gunmen arrived the community at about 8am, as corroborated by a resident identified as Jude Eze, who said, apart from those killed in the attack, dozens of villagers were also injured.
The resident said as at the time of filing this report, he saw at least three corpses and injured victims, adding that some community leaders were still counting bodies already recovered to determine the exact number of those killed in the attack.
Penpushing further reports that, another resident who confirmed the attack, said a top leader of the vigilante operatives known as ‘Sharia’ was also killed by the hoodlums, when the operatives challenged the bandits.
“They killed one powerful security man from our place. He is popularly called ‘Sharia.’ He was a leader of Agu-Amede Vigilante Group, but joined Abor Vigilante Operatives to challenge the Fulani herdsmen,” he said.
Penpushing also reports that, the resident said, as at the time of filing this report, a combined team of police and military personnel have begun to patrol the area, explaining that the security operatives arrived in the community with about three patrol trucks and one armoured vehicle.
The Enugu State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe, was yet to react or make any official statement on the ugly development, as at the time of filing this report, while it is on record that Mgbuji and other neighbouring communities in Eha-Amufu have been experiencing frequent attacks by suspected herders in the recent.
Penpushing reports that, it is recalled that about three weeks ago, suspected herders killed three persons in the same Agu-Amede Community, while the latest attack occurred about 10 days after suspected herders killed two persons in Agu-Amede and Abor communities in the council area.
The report also has it that in November, suspected herders attacked the Agu-Amede community and other neighbouring communities, killing many residents, and as a result of this Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, directed heads of security agencies in the state to deploy more personnel to the affected communities to prevent further attacks.
Penpushing further reports that, Ugwuanyi through the Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Simon Ortuanya said the state government would meet with the leaders of the herders in the area to resolve the issues causing the attacks.
The Governor as part of measure to address the worrisome situation, released N10 million for the immediate needs of victims who have been taking refuge in some internally displaced persons camps in the communities.
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