Amegu village in the Nkalaha community of Ishielu Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, was the scene of a devastating attack by suspected herdsmen on Sunday. The assault resulted in multiple fatalities and the destruction of numerous homes, reportedly in retaliation for the killing of cattle in the area.
Witnesses, including local resident Prof. Ndubuisi Idenyi, described the attack, which occurred in the early hours, as violent and destructive. “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 stated.
Reports indicate that a pastor from a nearby Pentecostal church was among those who lost their lives during the incident. Another source, speaking under the condition of anonymity, emphasized that the community was not responsible for the death of the cattle, attributing the act to members of the Eastern Security Network operating in the forest.
The Chairperson of the Isheilu Local Government Area, Mrs. Ifeoma Peace Agwu, confirmed the tragic events to reporters. “We are taking the victims’ bodies to the mortuary right now. I cannot talk much about it now. We will give more details later,” she said.
Efforts to obtain a statement from the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Joshua Ukandu, were unsuccessful, as he reportedly was not aware of the incident at the time of inquiry.
The attack highlights ongoing tensions in the region, underscoring the need for urgent dialogue and intervention to address the issues between local communities and herdsmen.
