Again, man, wife, son, 17 others killed as herdsmen attack Enugu community

By Ifeanyi Odoh, Enugu

Herdsmen have again attacked communities in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State, killing scores.

This is not the first time the area is coming under Fulani herdsmen attack.

The area bordered by Benue and Kogi states have faced a series of attacks from rampaging Fulani herdsmen.

In the latest incident, they left no fewer than 20 persons slaughtered, residential houses, as well as a church burnt.

A community leader, Chijioke Ogbodo, who spoke to journalists in Enugu, the state capital, said the area had been totally deserted.

Ogbodo, who wept bitterly while addressing the media, said Isi-Uzo had faced Fulani herdsmen more that 50 times in the last three years.

According to him, those killed included “16 men and four women”, adding that among them is a man, his wife and son.

He said the man, Chief Oliver Okoye Ubeh who he described as one of the voices of the community, was mowed down and his house set ablaze.

“Chief Oliver Okoye Ubeh and his son Ubeh James Chukwuebuka have been some of the major people speaking out for our community; so they must have been targeted.

“The Fulani herdsmen took everyone unawares; they rounded them up in the night, killed Chief Oliver Okoye Ubeh, his wife Mathar Onyinyechi Ubeh and one of his sons before setting the house ablaze alongside their corpses.

“His eldest son was lucky to have escaped as he was out of town when the attack occurred.

“Apart from the lives lost, over 30 residential houses and a church were also set ablaze.

“Our community has become a ghost town; everyone has run away, we are defenseless, the government has failed us,” he said as we wept bitterly.

He recalled that prior to the January 11, 2024, incident, the Fulani herdsmen had preciously attacked the communities, raped women, killed scored and destroyed farms.

Meanwhile, our correspondent recalls that the immediate past governor of Enugu State, Rt Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi once led a joint security team to Isi-Uzo in the aftermath of such deadly attacks.

Ugwuanyi and heads of security agencies in the state, visited the area after a meeting held behind closed doors at the Government House, Enugu.

Governor Ugwuanyi, accompanied by the State Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Ammani, the Garrison Commander, 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Brig. Gen. M.K Ibrahim, and the Anglican Bishop of Nike Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. Christian Onyeka Onyia, visited Isi-Uzo communities, different forests, markets, village squares and other locations where he met deserted areas.

The governor empathized with the people, and assured of his administration’s commitment to their safety and wellbeing.

However, the crisis has continued unabated even with a new government in place.