A wave of violence struck Amegu Nkalagha community in Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State as suspected gunmen launched a deadly attack in the early hours of Sunday, killing several residents and setting homes ablaze.
The attack is believed to be a reprisal following reports that cattle belonging to herders were killed in the area.
A community member, Prof. Ndubuisi Idenyi, confirmed the attack, saying the assailants unleashed mayhem, leaving destruction and loss of lives in their wake.
“I don’t have the number of casualties right now. We are still tracking and bringing out the dead bodies, especially those killed in the farms,” he said.
Another source, who pleaded anonymity, claimed that a Pastor of a Pentecostal Church was among those killed. The source also denied any involvement by community members in the alleged killing of the herders’ cattle.
“We did not kill their cows. The cows were killed by members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) in the forest,” the source stated.
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Chairperson of Ishielu Local Government Area, Ifeoma Peace Agwu, also confirmed the incident, revealing that efforts were being made to handle the aftermath.
“We are taking the victims’ bodies to the mortuary right now. I cannot talk much on it now. We will give more details later,” she said.
Meanwhile, Ebonyi State Police Command spokesperson, Joshua Ukandu, stated that he was not yet aware of the attack.
The community remains in shock as residents mourn the dead, calling for urgent intervention to prevent further violence.
