Again, many feared killed as gunmen attack Enugu community

•Terrorists have declared war on Igboland, says HURIWA

Exactly 10 days after Eboh and Umujiovu communities, in Eha-Amufu, Isiuzo Council, Enugu State, were attacked, leading to death of about 25 persons, armed herdsmen and their collaborators, yesterday, launched another attack in the area, and allegedly killed an unascertained number of people.

The Guardian gathered that the latest attack occurred at Eboh community at about 06.30 a.m. when most of its inhabitants were asleep.The police in the state, which confirmed the attack, said it was yet to ascertain the number of casualties, stressing that a rescue operation was ongoing in the area.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe, said: “Sketchy report at my disposal shows that there was an attack. But the assailants were repelled by a joint police/army team that is currently trailing them. I don’t have any other details until the operations are over.”

The attackers were said to have invaded the community in their numbers, and were shooting sporadically. A source told The Guardian that several people had been killed before the arrival of security operatives stationed in Eha-Amufu.

The source stated that the latest attack had thrown the area into another round of mourning, adding that it was the second this month. A community leader, who gave his name as Ogbuabor Samuel, also confirmed the attack.

He said: “As I speak to you, several people have been killed; at least, we have recovered about 10 bodies.” Ogbuabor insisted that council authorities seem to be playing politics with people’s lives, focusing on their interest in the 2023 general elections.

MEANWHILE, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) said the sudden upsurge in attacks on communities in Enugu is a declaration of war in Igboland.

The rights group also said the symbolism of attacking Enugu, the political regional headquarters of Igbo land, seems a strategic message by armed Fulani terrorists to Ndigbo, signalling the beginning of a full blown war, which must be confronted by Southeastern religious, traditional and political leaders.  

HURIWA condemned the refusal of heads of security formations in Enugu to arrest perpetrators of these violent attacks, directed at the people of Ebor, Eha-Amufu Community, which was, for the umpteenth time, hit, yesterday, by armed Fulani bandits.

HURUWA, quoting security sources, stated that invaders, who outnumbered soldiers and local vigilantes, launched the attack yesterday, adding that several people were killed.