- many feared dead, community deserted
From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Report from Eha-Amufu in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State indicated that coordinated attacks by herdsmen attack have left many people dead.
The coordinated attacks took place simultaneously in Agu-Amede and Mgbuji communities in the town between the weekend and was said to continue on Monday as more dead bodies were recovered on Monday afternoon.
A community leader in Agu-Amede identified as Obeagu said the herdsmen invaded farm settlements in Ikpakpara and other neighbouring ones.
He explained that the herdsmen came to the settlements through the border communities with Benue, freely executed the attacks, and quickly returned unchecked.
“Response hardly come from security agents until after attacks are successfully done, and when they finally come, they would disarm our people, thus leaving them vulnerable to more attacks. This has continued unchecked for quite some time now,” he said.
Another villager, Kingsley, alleged that a helicopter was sighted in the nearby bushes some days ago before the terror was unleashed on the people of Ikpakpara farm settlement in Agu-Amede, Eha-Amufu.
“We have cried and contacted the local chairman. Nothing came from him. We reached out to the state government, and no solution was provided. From all indications, we would have to effectively defend ourselves and our communities.
“But the challenge is that the security agents seem to be supporting the attackers. They prefer to come several hours after the attacks to disarm our people and do nothing to the attackers.”
A report from the community members indicated that more than 10 bodies have been recovered, and there are signs that more might be recovered because lots of people are still missing.
Meanwhile, thousands of the community members have been displaced and are currently taking refuge at different parts of Eha-Amufu town.
So far, neither Enugu state government nor the Federal Government has reacted to the development.