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A yet-to-be-ascertained number of people have reportedly been killed after suspected armed herdsmen attacked Ebor, Eha-Amufu community in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State on Sunday morning. This is as another set of suspected herdsmen, weekend, carried out a fresh attack on Adaka community, killing at least three persons.

Since 2021, communities in Isi Uzo have come under attack, with over 100 said to have been killed so far. According to sources, the masterminds of the early morning Sunday attack outnumbered the soldiers and local vigilantes while they launched the attack, killing several people.

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A community leader, Ogbuabor Samuel, who confirmed the attack, said several people had been killed, adding that at least 10 bodies had been recovered. He blamed the local government chairman, whom he said was playing politics with the lives of Eha-Amufu, because of the 2023 general election.

“The chairman of the Isi-Uzo local government area is playing politics with our lives,” he said, adding, “He didn’t want to tell the governor the true facts of what is happening in our community. He is not supporting the local vigilantes and other local security.”

Samuel claimed that the LG chairman dissolved all the local vigilantes formed by Eha-Amufu communities and hardly visited the affected communities.

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“We need the government to declare a security emergency in Eha-Amufu, especially in Ebor, Umujiovu, Mgbuji and Agu-Amede communities,” he said, noting that, “Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi should do something drastic. His government should stop politicizing the situation in our place.”

He further claimed that Agala people in Benue State had joined forces with the armed herdsmen in attacking and killing the people every day.

“They have sacked several villages and occupied them. They have destroyed our people’s livelihood. Properties worth millions have been destroyed and those in political positions in Enugu State are playing politics with it?” he said.

Confirming the killings, another indigene of Eha Amufu, Ebuka Onah, in a public message to the Governor of Enugu State tagged “Governor Ugwuanyi has refused to save our lives”, said

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more people were killed as Fulani herdsmen sacked the whole towns in Eha-Amufu.

“Some armed groups have attacked our land again. The group suspected to be Fulani herdsmen and collaborators from Agala community in Benue State today, Sunday attacked Abor community in Eha-Amufu. And a yet-to-be-ascertained number of people were killed in the process. This attack is barely eight days after assailants attacked us and killed 25 people at the last count. The attack also forced residents of Mgbuji, Umujiovu and Abor communities to flee from their homes.

“Subsequently, businesses were forced to shut down. These assailants have already sacked over 40 villages and settlements. Now they are attacking our hometowns. These people are coming from communities in Benue State and the government is aware of it.

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“The invaders who out numbered the soldiers and vigilantes, launched another attack on Abor community this early Sunday morning. Not less than 10 bodies are already seen. Our people are still in the bushes combing and searching for more people killed. What is happening in our land is unfortunate. From the report I received, the armed herdsmen and their collaborators from Benue State communities launched the attack around 5:30 am to 6 am this morning”.

Continuing he said: “Meanwhile, the state police command has confirmed the today’s attack but did not give the casualty figure. Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi is playing politics with our lives! The world should hear this; Our Governor should be held responsible for blood been spilled in Eha-amufu Land”.

From Adaka, a settlement about 20 kilometers on the outskirts of Makurdi Local Government Area, which is also Benue’s State capital, a resident of the community, Iorkohol Unande, who survived the dastardly incident narrated that the attack was unprovoked. He said the attackers shot sporadically, injuring several persons in the community while three dead bodies were recovered by the time the killer herdsmen retreated unchallenged.

According to him, the three persons killed by the attackers were all men, who were shot at and their bodies butchered by the assailants.

Reacting to the unending orgy of bloodletting, a resident of Makurdi, John Kwaghmande, stated that “the killer Fulani herdsmen have a mission to displace our people and take over our lands ahead of next year’s polls.

“It is unfortunate that other politicians in our state are collaborating with these monstrous terrorists to unleash mayhem on our people. We will reject such persons at the polls,” he stated.

(Arise News/Pacesetter)