Suspected herdsmen have carried out a new attack on villages in the Nkalaha community of Ishielu Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, causing widespread fear and displacement.
This attack comes just three days after Amegu village was attacked, resulting in the killing of at least 16 residents and the destruction of 25 houses and properties worth millions of naira.
The attack has heightened tension as residents of Amaokwe, Umeleha, and Amegu villages have been fleeing their homes with their belongings to Amazezegba, Nigercem, and other neighbouring communities.
However, SaharaReporters gathered that Wednesday’s attack started shortly after a team of policemen and state security outfit ‘Ebube-Agu’, visited the community.
Meanwhile, SaharaReporters could not independently verify the cause of the recent attack and gunfire, which, according to locals who spoke to SaharaReporters, was still ongoing at the time of filing this report.
National Emergency Management Agency officials, who were headed to the community to deliver relief materials to Amegu village where the Sunday attack occurred, were also forced to flee before reaching the affected area.
A local resident, Samuel Edeze, confirmed to SaharaReporters that he was trapped at Amazezegba and unable to reach his village due to the current situation.
Edeze said, “I went to Nkalagu this morning and on my return this afternoon, I met hundreds of residents fleeing their homes. I was stuck at Amazezegba from where I am calling you now. Those fleeing told me that immediately the security operatives left the community, gunshots started raining at Amaokwe and Umeleha villages. I am from Amegu village and our people who have run to those villages are also fleeing with their hosts.
“It is a very hopeless and dicey situation. Even the National Emergency Management Agency officials that were coming to deliver relief materials had to turn back without reaching to the village. They carried their stuff and went back.”
He, however, pleaded with the Ebonyi State government to do something to secure their lives and property, noting that the primary responsibility of every government is the protection of lives and property.
Attempts by SaharaReporters to reach the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, were unsuccessful as he did not answer his calls at the time of filing this report. He had also not responded to a text message seeking his comment on the incident.
Meanwhile in a statement issued earlier on Wednesday, Ukandu disclosed that the Command had recovered some exhibits linked to Sunday’s attack on Amegu Nkalaha community.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the PPRO reported that during their operations, a suspect named Maduabuchi Chimaobi Ebeh was apprehended while fleeing the community.
With the assistance of members of the Nkalaha community, he was caught at the border between Nkalaha and Eha-Amufu and handed over to the Isi-Uzo police division.
It read, “Upon interrogation, the suspect provided the names of others involved in the attack. Based on the information gathered, operatives from the command stormed the hideout of the hoodlums responsible for the attack.
“When the operatives raided the criminal hideout, other assailants fled the scene.
“Items recovered were 3 locally made single-barreled guns, one police uniform, a pair of jungle boots, a pair of army camouflage shorts, and a pair of combat trousers.
“The command is actively pursuing the other fleeing suspects and continuing our investigation into this matter. We encourage anyone with useful information that might lead to the arrest of the suspects to come forward.
“We are using this medium to encourage all to dispel rumours of insecurity and go about their lawful activities. Furthermore, we reiterate our firm resolve to apprehend the hoodlums and assure the residents of Ebonyi State of our commitment to the protection of lives and property.”
