The agrarian communities of the Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area in Enugu State are living in fear as insurgents, reportedly herdsmen, intensify their attacks, leaving a trail of death and destruction.
At least 25 people have lost their lives, and many more are injured, with families fleeing to neighbouring states in search of safety.
The local vigilante group is sounding the alarm, criticising the delayed security response.
“The incident became horrifying as the new Enugu Police Commissioner, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, last week denied publicly that there was any sign of insecurity problems,” said Godwin Ezugwu, a member of the group.
Recent atrocities include the brutal killing of vigilante, Chijioke Anioke, at Ekenwaozege junction, the cold-blooded murder of Nwa Black in Opanda, Adani, and the kidnapping of Entraco driver Patty Ozor, with one passenger shot dead.
These incidents have left communities on edge, wondering when the next attack would come.
Community leaders have sent a distress call to Governor Peter Mbah, expressing their frustration and disappointment over the inaction of Uzo-Uwani LGA Chairman Chijioke Ezugwu, a former vigilante leader.
They report frequent farmers’ abductions and killings over the past two months, with no end in sight.
In desperation, opinion leaders are urging communities to arm themselves for self-defence, citing the Department of State Services, Director-General, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi’s warning that “Fulanis have declared war on Nigerians, especially Southern Nigeria.”
The situation is further complicated by the state government’s apparent disregard for a proposed 2024 security summit aimed at addressing these issues.
SaharaReporters reported on April 10, that no fewer than four farmers including women were killed in their farm at Adani community in Uzo-Uwani local government area of Enugu by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
The victims were slaughtered in their farms on Tuesday, April 8, in the afternoon, when the assailants invaded their farms.
A resident of Adani community, Chijindu Omeje, who confirmed the incident told SaharaReporters revealed that his cousin’s in-law named Emenike who was in his early 40s was among the four people killed by Fulani herdsmen including a tree feller.
“Yes, four persons including women farmers were killed on Tuesday at Adani farm,” Omeje said. “One of the persons killed is my cousin’s in-law and his named is Emenike. I don’t know his actual age but he is not less than 40 years. The assailants who were all Fulani herdsmen also killed a Tree feller.
“This incident happened in Adani farm. Meanwhile, the road from Adani to Ogurugu is a no go area now as kidnappers’ believed to be same Fulani herdsmen have taken over the road. Several people have been kidnapped along the road in recent weeks. The chairman of the local government is helpless. We need help. We need government intervention to ensure that local farmers can return to their farms. It is no longer a funny situation, something must be done and done urgently.”
SaharaReporters recently reported that residents of 44 farm settlements otherwise called ‘Ndiagu’ in five autonomous communities in Eha-Amufu Isi-Uzu local government area of Enugu State had been sacked in systematic attacks that long started in 2002 but increased in gravity in 2021, during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The attacks, unfortunately were sustained in this administration of President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC). (SaharaReporters)
