Gunmen suspected to be herders attacked and killed about 46 people in Ebonyi, Benue, and Enugu communities.
At least 30 persons were killed on Sunday in Ebonyi communities and 12 in Ado Local Government Area of Benue State, The PUNCH had reported.
In Ebonyi State, it was gathered that the gunmen attacked Odoke, Ndiobasi, and Obakotara communities in the Ebonyi Local Government Area.
According to sources in the area, the gunmen arrived at the communities around 3am on Sunday. A resident, Uchenna Okpokwu, said the invaders came with guns and machetes.
Okpokwu said, “People that were skilled in Ndiobasi are up to 30 according to the video clips on the incident. Odoke and Obapta are very far and nobody has been able to enter the two villages.
Another resident of the area, Onyibe Jeremiah, lamented that no action was taken to protect the communities despite warnings of the herdsmen impending attacks.
Chairman of the Ebonyi LGA, Chinyere Nwaogbaga, who confirmed the incident, added that “The state governor directed that we take injured residents to hospital and also give them relieve materials.”
Also, the attack in Benue State communities reportedly claimed 12 lives. Residents said some of the communities attacked were Tologa, Ndi-Obasi, Odoken in Ekile ward of Ijigban district of Ado LGA.
Confirming the attack, House of Representatives member representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, Francis Agbo, in a WhatsApp message sent to The PUNCH, said residents of Obakoto, Odirewu, Offianka, and Nwedoga communities had deserted their homes.
Agbo said, “Izzi settlements of Tologa, Ndi-Obasi, Odoken in Ekile Ward, Ado LGA, are badly affected. Now the Izzi people in Obakoto, Odirewu, Offianka, Nwedoga in Ijigban have deserted the areas for fear of invasion.”
The Chairman of the LGA, James Oche, who confirmed the simultaneous attacks on the five communities in Ekile ward, said 12 persons were killed.
Oche said, “I suspect that the herders came on reprisal because of one elderly Fulani man, Isah Muhammed, who lived in one of the affected communities was recently killed by members of the Indigenous People Of Biafra members who crossed over from Ebonyi State to Ado in Benue State.
Effort to speak to the Benue State Police Command, Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Catherine Anene, did not yield results as calls to her mobile phone rang out.
Meanwhile, suspected herdsmen attacked Ekpoffo in Eha-Amufu Community, Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State on Friday killing four persons.
About seven others were reported to have sustained serious injuries the report said.
