A new assault by terrorists has occurred in the Agu-Amede community near Eha-Amufu in the Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State.
During this latest incident on Sunday, January 21, 2024, in Odoba and Isi Agbuhu villages within Agu-Amede, one person lost their life, and a dwelling was set ablaze, as reported by SaharaReporters.
Ephraim Ogbu, a community leader, confirmed the assault to SaharaReporters on Monday.
He identified the latest victim as “Ikechukwu Odomi from Isi Agbuhu Agu Amede.” Ogbu disclosed that terrorists not only targeted Ikechukwu but also set fire to a residence owned by Chibuike Olinya in Odoba Agu Amede village.
Remarkably, Olinya narrowly escaped the attack. Ogbu further revealed that, despite the hours-long duration of the assault, neither the soldiers deployed to Eha-Amufu nor any other security agency responded to the incident.
“Our people provided timely information to both military and police. The soldiers only told us that they were on patrol, and they didn’t come. What we don’t know is whether the soldiers are here to protect the bandits?” he asked.
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He expressed sorrow over the fact that, since the latter part of the previous year, Fulani bandits, who have taken control of a significant portion of their farmland, persist in assaulting and causing harm to their community without facing any opposition from security forces.
He said, “The burning of a bungalow newly completed and finished occurred in the early hours in Odoba village. The bandits supervised and ensured that nothing was salvaged in the house.
“Ikechukwu Odomi from Isi Agbuhu was taking his in-law back to his house when he met the bandits on the road. He abandoned his vehicle and ran into the bush. They pursued him and set the bush ablaze and killed him. His in-law escaped when they were pursuing him. That only saved the woman.”
“The bandits come into the community at will, kill and burn houses,” he lamented.
On January 3, 2024, SaharaReporters documented a fresh incident where assailants, believed to be herders, carried out an attack on Agu-Amede community in the Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of the state.
Tragically, two young men lost their lives during the assault while partaking in Christmas festivities.
Earlier reports from SaharaReporters detailed that Eha-Amufu town and its surrounding communities, including Agu-Amede, Mgbuji, and Abor, had experienced significant attacks in 2021 and 2022.
The perpetrators were suspected to be Fulani herders and militias from Benue State.
The attacks resulted in the death of over 152 individuals, and more than 20 farm settlements were reportedly targeted, leading to extensive property damage through arson.
Despite attempts by SaharaReporters to obtain a response from the state police command’s spokesperson, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, all efforts proved futile. Calls were unanswered, and a text message sent to him received no reply.