Residents of Amaogbelle-Ulo village of Ezimo community in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State, Friday, appealed to governments at all levels to secure them from what they called “sustained invasion, kidnapping and killing” by alleged herders.
They claim that since the routine attacks and kidnapping started some days ago, there is yet to be any stationed security personnel deployed by the government to dislodge their attackers.
Mazi Paul Ekwu is from a neighbouring village of Ogwu, Obollo. He said he was worried about the plight of Amaogbelle natives. He told our correspondent that, “My mother is from Ama-Ogbelle. I am concerned. My heart is bleeding. We need urgent help. It is indeed a matter that is affecting the entire Ezimo, but the most affected are Amaogbelle people. On the 13th of this month, kidnappers attacked at a funeral and kidnapped some people. A Reverend Father was involved, though he was lucky to have escaped by the whiskers.
“On Tuesday, 14th October, they stormed again, this time at a pub where people of the neighbourhood had peacefully gathered. They came around 7pm when no one expected such. One of the persons they wanted to kidnap resisted them, and they murdered him. He is identified as Offor, a very humble and promising young guy. A number of persons were kidnapped and some others wounded that night.
“One Wednesday, 15th October, during the burial of the young man they killed, some suspected kidnappers were spotted at some spots at Ogbelle road, nearby. The inhabitants shortly after the burial vacated the settlement. The place is now deserted. As if these were not enough, Thursday night, they attacked someone on the border between Ezimo and Imilike-Ani, and inflicted machete injuries on his arm. Police operatives were alerted. They came when the attackers had gone. When the police operatives left that night, the kidnappers re-appeared, and successfully kidnapped a man who was stepping into his main house after bathing. He was whisked away alongside his house help.”
Ekwu claimed that upon all these, no military, police, civil defence or DSS operatives had been stationed or deployed to patrol the affected areas. He said, “My mother’s village is now deserted. The occupants are now refugees. They need help. These attackers are suspected to be hiding in the large expanse of bushes connecting Obollo, Ezimo, Agu-Imilike, Agu-Orba and Eha-Alumona. They are the same gang kidnapping and killing innocent people in these communities. They are said to be navigating through cattle routes. May I also plead with the council chairman of Udenu, LGA to engage expert bush combers to flush out these criminals. This is getting out of hand.”
Meanwhile, a concerned citizen of Ezimo, on condition of anonymity, has called on relevant authorities to save the situation by establishing tactical bases of security agencies at the endangered areas. He said Ezimo was very peaceful until the recent ugly situation.
Quoting him, “In recent months, Ezimo has come under siege from armed men who have turned our peaceful town into a hunting ground for kidnappings and violent attacks. These recurring incidents have instilled fear into the residents and visitors alike, threatening to destroy the gains we have made as a community. Tourism, which was once thriving through our Ezimo Waterfall, has drastically declined. Many indigenes now find it risky to return home, even for short visits, while those at home sleep with their eyes widely open.
“It is heartbreaking to watch a once peaceful, rapidly developing community descend into insecurity and fear. We therefore appeal to the Enugu State government, security agencies, and all relevant authorities to urgently intervene and restore peace and safety in Ezimo. Our people deserve protection; our progress must not be reversed by the actions of a few criminal elements. The government’s timely action can make all the difference, reviving the hopes of a community that once stood as a shining example of transformation and resilience in Enugu State.”
It was gathered that aside from the Ezimo community, the alleged herders had also unleashed mayhem on some residents of Obollo-Afor, Obollo-Etiti and Orba and Eha-Alumona.
The Police Public Relations Officer of Enugu State Police Command, SP Daniel Ndukwe, has not responded to the request on what the command is doing on the latest insecurity at Ezimo at the time of filing this report.
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