Crime
Massacre: Enugu Community deserted as herdsmen kill over 50 villagers
Reports say the communities are totally under siege, with markets locked up, houses abandoned, and all the residents now seeking refuge as Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, in neighbouring towns and cities.Over 50 persons have been allegedly killed within the last few weeks by rampaging Fulani herdsmen aided by Igala people of Benue State. Sources from the town put the number of those killed in the last two years to 160.
Prior to the latest sad event on Thursday, the 8th day of December, 2022, Eha-Amufu has been synonymous with killings and other criminal activities, with every effort made by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuayi of Enugu State unable to yield the desired result.
On several occasions, the Governor had summoned an emergency meeting involving all the stakeholders from the area. During such meetings, revelations are always made and actions taken. However, as soon as the residents return home, the marauders, said to be Fulani herdsmen will strike again and leave the village bleeding.
This has led to the assertion in some quarters that the ruthless attacks are politically-induced.
Apart from the killings that usually occurred at night, the Eha-Amufu-Neke road has been a den of kidnappers, making it unsafe for any member of the community to pass by once it is 6pm. Road users are always kidnapped and taken to the Benue State axis where they are kept until ransom is paid.
Eha-Amufu, an agrarian community, has a population of over 70,000, with a larger portion of the residents dependent on farming for their survival. It shares boundaries with Ebonyi and Benue States.
However, the entire residents are under threat, including the Federal College of Education, Eha-Amufu, which has attracted some significant development both from the government, as well as private individuals in the area.
A tour of the communities showed that no human activity is going on at the moment.
Shops are under lock, markets and businesses have been closed down. The Federal College of Education, Eha-Amufu is deserted as students of the College have all gone home for fear of being killed.
To make matters worse, the abandoned houses are now vulnerable as criminals vandalise properties and cart away personal belongings of the displaced villagers.
A trader, one Asogwa Nneka, a settler in Eha-Amufu, told journalists that criminals broke through all the shops in their line on Sunday the 11th day of December, 2022, looking for money and other items. She stated that food items were stolen by the burglars.
It was gathered that there are about 40 farm settlements which cut across the various villages in Eha-Amufu community. The living conditions of these farm settlers have been worsened by the incessant attacks by the Fulani herders who attack them almost on a daily basis. The brutal attacks have made the said farm settlers to abandon their houses and farms and run back to the community.
“As a result of this, no one goes to the farm for fear of attack by the Fulani herders. This has plunged the community into some serious social issues, including hunger.
“It has even become worse as the marauders have also pursued our people from the farm settlements right here into the heart of the town,” a village source revealed.
While giving an insight into one of the latest invasions, an indigene, Mr. Chukwudi Omeri confirmed that about 10 people were killed in Ama-Obelebe village, including his brother, Mr. Friday Omeri, a father of five.
“The attack occurred at about 6 a.m. on the fateful day when sounds of heavy gunshots were heard around the community. Most people, including myself, had thought that it was the security agencies that were shooting but we discovered that the gun-wielding men wore black and black attire, while those leading them were in mufti.
“The attackers of the community came through the farmlands. I saw some faces that looked like the Fulani herders, while others looked like the faces of Igala people from Benue State who are our neighbours. They led the Fulani herders to the community.
“I was able to identify the Igala people through their dialect, as well as on face recognition as some of them are traders who come to the Eha-Amufu markets to trade on a daily basis.”
He further stated that though he could not give the exact casualty figure, “about 4 people were killed in Ama-Okwebe, one person was killed in Ama-Ogbu, while four people were killed in Ama-Nkpaka.”
He told journalists that when the crisis subsided, some dead bodies littered the community, adding that “as the tradition demands, we buried the corpses that were recovered by digging shallow graves beside the dead bodies. While some of the corpses were being buried, some police officers came and took some of the unburied corpses away, including that of my brother, Mr. Friday Omeri.”
According to Chukwudi Omeri, his late brother Friday Omeri was gruesomely murdered in his house with matchet.
“Four other persons, who were all men, were killed in the same compound and the police took their bodies away on arrival,” he added.
When asked if the members of the community were able nab any of the killers, Chukwudi said that they were all defenceless and could not fight with the attackers who were armed to the teeth.
Monday December, 12, 2022, more corpses were still being discovered and buried in the community.
The Labour Party Governorship candidate in Enugu State, Barr. Chijioke Edeoga, who is also a native of Mgbuji community, Eha-Amufu, was on a sympathy visit to the affected communities on the said date.
While he was talking with some journalists, Chukwudi Omeri said the survivors were facing extreme hunger.
He thanked Edeoga for providing them with meals.
When asked of the whereabouts of his wife and children, he told journalists that they ran to Nkalaha, a neighbouring community in Ebonyi State and that some of his relatives ran to Anambra for safety.
He asked the government to come to their rescue as the community is at the verge of going into extinction.
Another eyewitness, Mr. Anthony Onunze, a 60-year-old man, revealed that the crisis started from the farm settlements where the members of the community were killed by Fulani herders.
He said that the latest crisis started on January 6, 2022, when the Fulani herders started killing their people.
“Since then, no one goes to the farm again. And this has brought hunger and hardship on the people. He stated that the attack on 8th December, 2022, led to the death of 25 persons in Abor village. The victims were all men as the attackers never killed any woman during the attack.
“The aged men were not left in the attack as my age mate’s lifeless body was discovered and buried on Monday the 12th of December, 2022.
“We have not done anything to warrant these mindless killings; I’m not aware of any issue with the Fulani herdsmen except that they want to chase us away from our ancestral land,” he lamented.
He equally alleged the attackers were assisted by the Igala people of Benue State.
He told journalists that “the said Igala people are so desperate to take over our lands as they have begun harvesting our palm fruit since the crisis started. The Igala people have common boundaries with the Eha-Amufu community, which may be what has necessitated the rift between the two communities.”
A woman, who lost her husband and relatives, Mrs. Nkechi Ebeh was seen crying, which attracted the attention of journalists.
In an interview, she disclosed that she lost her husband and relatives to the attack of 8th December, 2022.
“We were going to the farm on that fateful day when some persons holding guns and machetes started pursuing us which made me run back home. On getting to the house, I could not find my children at home.
“In the evening of the same day, I got my children in Ama-Nkanu, a neighbouring community, which is very far from Eha-Amufu. My husband was buried when his corpse was discovered the next day,” she lamented.
On the identity of those who attacked them, Nkechi Ebeh said that they were Fulani herders, together with Igala people of Benue State.
She pleaded with the government to come to their aid as they would not live as IDPs forever.
According to a list signed by the chairman of Abor Development Union, Mr. Ebe John and made available to DAILY POST, a total of 23 persons lost their lives in just one village as a result of the crisis that erupted on the 8th of December, 2022.
The victims were identified as Chief. Odo Godwin, alias Double, Olinya Joseph, Agu Onyema, Agu Elias alias Onyenze, Agu Ikechukwu and Chief Ede Emmanuel who are members of Ama-Okpebe Abor. Others are Idu Samuel, Odo Odo Friday, Chief. Onodugo Odo-Ebe, Ogbu Gabriel, Igwurube Ogbu, Igwurube Obioma, Alu Nweke and Chukwuka Solomon who hailed from Ama-Obelebe Abor. Olinya Odo Nwuzu and his son, Ambrose Ogenyi’s son and Emeka Orji from Ama-Okpaka Abor also lost their lives.
In Ama-Ogbo Abor, the deceased included Onunze Onyeka, Ede Brown, James Idenyi and Ede Nwa Leonard, all from Umujiovu.
Two persons, whose names could not be ascertained as of the time of filing this report died in Mgbuji Eha-Amufu, the village of Barr. Chijioke Edeoga.
The chairman of ADU, among other things, asked the Enugu State government to help the communities with security and logistics.
He also pleaded with the government and other good spirited individuals to help them with food and other materials as hunger has overtaken the communities.
During his tour of the communities, Edeoga said the reason behind his visit was to build confidence in the minds of the community men and women who had abandoned their respective homes and are now refugees in the neighbouring communities.
He encouraged the people to go back to their respective ancestral homes as running away would not solve any problem.
He reassured them that normalcy had returned to the community as the military, as well as other sister agencies were on top of the situation to prevent future occurrence.
Late November, Governor Ifeanyi had stormed forests in the Eha-Amufu area after one of the deadly attacks by the suspected herdsmen.
Governor Ugwuanyi, on arrival at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, after a trip outside the State, proceeded straight to Eha Amufu, on a fact-finding visit to obtain first-hand information about the issues that led to the recent crisis in Aguamaede and Mgbuji communities.
He was accompanied by the State Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Ammani, the Garrison Commander, 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Brig. Gen. M.K Ibrahim, and the Anglican Bishop of Nike Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. Christian Onyeka Onyia, visited Mgbuji community, different forests, markets, village squares and other locations in Eha Amufu where he interacted with the indigenes to ascertain the remote cause of the recent crisis in the community with a view to addressing the lingering issues in the area decisively.
The governor empathised with the people, ascertained how they were faring, and assured them of his administration’s commitment to their safety and wellbeing as well as the resolution of the crisis between farmers and herders.
The Eha-Amufu indigenes appreciated Governor Ugwuanyi for the rare visit, especially at night, stressing that the gesture was a demonstration of his commitment to ending the farmers/herders issues in Eha Amufu.
They pointed out that Ugwuanyi was the first governor to visit Eha Amufu over the lingering crisis in the area and thanked him for the N10 million he released for the immediate needs of the victims, among other interventions.
However, there are concerns that despite government promises and efforts, respite is yet to come the way of the indigenes of Eha-Amufu.
The Enugu State Police Command had also on various occasions assured the people of protection, but residents say the killings were yet to abate.
Their claims were justified as the killers struck again a few days after the visit by the Governor and the heads of the security agencies.
This may have prompted the villagers to allegedly invite the members of the Eastern Security Network, ESN, as a last resort.
However, the burning of a truck conveying foodstuff with some of the occupants has heightened tension in the area.
The Enugu State Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Ammani, who visited the area, in company of the 82 Division Garrison Commander of the Nigerian Army Enugu, Brig. Gen. M. K. Ibrahim, other Senior Police/Military Officers and the Chairman of Isi-Uzo Local Government Area, Honourable Obiora Obeagu, condemned the burning of the truck and unspecified number of persons, at Umuhu in Eha-Amufu community.
According to a statement by the PPRO, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, the Commissioner, while commiserating with the families of those who lost their lives in the heinous criminal act and other reported attacks in the area, “made it clear that the Police, with the active support and collaboration of other security agencies, will leave no stone unturned in fishing out the assailants and perpetrators of other acts of attack and murder in the area.
“He reassures members of the Eha-Amufu community of the avowed commitment of the Security Agencies to deploy both kinetic and non-kinetic measures to decisively deal with the untoward security breaches in the area, while enjoining them remain law-abiding, cooperate with the Joint Security Team and avoid acting in ways that could further breach public security and peace in the area.
“Consequently, the CP has ordered the further deployment of operational and intelligence resources to the area, while also ordering the State CID to thoroughly investigate the incident, harmonise ongoing investigations into other recent criminal incidents in the community and come up with actionable findings.
“In addition, the Commissioner has dispelled in its entirety the news making the rounds that rather than goods and some travellers, as preliminary investigation has revealed, the truck was instead loaded with firearms, ammunition and bandits.
“He described the rumour as baseless, misleading and an act of disinformation capable of creating unnecessary panic and escalating the situation in the area. Hence, he warns the creators and peddlers of such fake news to desist forthwith, as they will be made to face the full wrath of the law if apprehended.”
It was gathered that the bandits entered the community at about 1am, shooting sporadically to scare residents. They reportedly destroyed two houses before picking up the victim and whisking him away to an unknown destination. The boy, identified as Oluwatobi, is said to be the son of a pastor in the community, Isaac Olaosebikan.
A source said that, on hearing the sporadic gunshots, residents of the community fled their homes and ran to neighbouring communities for safety.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi, who confirmed the incident in a WhatsApp message, said efforts were ongoing to rescue the victim and apprehend the perpetrators.
He said, “The Ondo State Police Command has commenced an intensive manhunt for suspected kidnappers who abducted a nine-year-old boy during a violent attack on residents of Ugbosi Quarters, Idogun, in Ose Local Government Area of the state.
“The incident was reported in the early hours of Friday, 5th June 2026, at about 2:30 a.m. by Mr. Olaosebikan Isaac and Mr. Joel Owalekan, both residents of Ugbosi Quarters, Idogun. According to their reports, at approximately 1:30 a.m. on the same day, a group of armed men invaded the community, firing gunshots sporadically and causing panic among residents.
He added that personnel of the command and the Amotekun Corps had been mobilised to the scene and had launched a coordinated search-and-rescue operation.
“Security operatives combed the surrounding forests and likely escape routes in a bid to rescue the abducted child and apprehend the perpetrators,” the PPRO stated.
Jimoh also noted that investigations had commenced while relevant exhibits had been recovered and documented to determine the circumstances surrounding the attack and track down those responsible.
“The State Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, CP Felix Ohagwu, has directed all tactical teams, intelligence units and other relevant security assets to intensify efforts toward the immediate rescue of the victim unhurt and the arrest of the perpetrators.
“The Command is also working closely with other security agencies and local vigilante groups to ensure that the criminals are brought to justice.”
Ogunleye was arraigned on Wednesday alongside three other suspects before a Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.
The Ekiti State Police Command said the suspects were brought before the court after the conclusion of investigations into the matter.
The prosecutor, Akinwale Oriyimi, informed the court that the case file had been forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice.
Oriyimi subsequently requested the court to remand the defendants pending further directives from the DPP.
Ruling on the application, the Chief Magistrate, Abayomi Adeosun, ordered that Ogunleye and the other defendants be remanded at the Ado-Ekiti Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.
Kano Times recalls that Ogunleye was declared missing on May 20 after her vehicle was reportedly found abandoned along the Ipere–Iludun Ekiti Road.
Reports at the time indicated that she was allegedly abducted by suspected gunmen shortly after leaving the local government secretariat.
She was later found unharmed during a joint operation involving security agencies.
However, police investigations later alleged that the kidnapping was staged in a bid to raise money to offset financial obligations and outstanding political commitments.
Reacting to the development, the Chairman of Ilejemeje Local Government Area, Pius Dada, condemned the alleged act.
Dada described the incident as embarrassing and unacceptable, warning that such actions could undermine public confidence in government officials and security agencies.
He further stated that no public office holder would be protected from prosecution if found culpable of any wrongdoing.
The Enugu State Police Command has arrested three suspects linked to alleged armed robbery, kidnapping, and drug trafficking in separate intelligence-led operations across the state.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed this in a statement on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, who reaffirmed the Command’s determination to sustain its crackdown on criminal activities through proactive policing and intelligence-driven operations.
According to the statement, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) on May 30, 2026, at about 7:30 p.m., stormed a drinking spot along the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway following credible intelligence and arrested two suspected armed robbers and kidnappers identified as Ogbonna Chinonso, 22, and Nnachi Cypril, 35.
Items recovered from the suspects included a locally made revolver pistol, a locally made cut-to-size double-barrelled gun, six rounds of 9mm ammunition, and one live cartridge.
Enugu CP
In a separate operation conducted earlier the same day at about 4:30 p.m., VCRU operatives raided a suspected criminal hideout in Trans-Ekulu, Enugu, where they arrested a suspected drug dealer, Izunna Ani, 36.
The police said large quantities of substances suspected to be “Loud” and “Kolos” were recovered from the suspect.
The Command noted that investigations into the cases are ongoing and that the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigations.
Commending the operatives for their professionalism and vigilance, CP Giwa reiterated the Command’s commitment to ridding Enugu State of violent crimes and other forms of criminality. He also urged residents to remain security-conscious and continue providing useful information to assist the police in combating crime.
Posters bearing the photographs of seven teachers and 39 pupils and students allegedly kidnapped from Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle, and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have appeared across several cities and communities in the state.
The posters revealed that one of the abducted teachers, Mr. Michael Oteodokun, was reportedly killed while in captivity.
The abducted teachers were identified as Mrs. Alamu Folawe, Mr. Ojo Jonathan, Mr. Olatunde Zacchaeus, Mr. John Olaleye, Mr. Michael Oteodokun, Mrs. Oladeji and Mrs. Mary Akanbi.
Also listed on the posters are 39 abducted pupils and students, including Rashida Tajudeen (11), Ahmed Ramoni (8), Abdulsalam Toyib (4), Baraka Abioye (16), Fatimo Jimoh (15), Hassan Azeez (14), Joshua Adeleke (13), Samuel Oyedele (7), Emmanuel Oyedele (4), Idowu Taiwo (4), Christianah Akanbi (2), Juwon Sunday (7), Sikiru Salami (3), Soliu Salami (4), Ojo Joseph (8), Lydia Adewole (8), Testimony Jacob (5), Kehinde Kadosara (7), Sewa Seyi (7), Waliya Bello (4), Lydia Olohunoluwa (7), Damilare Obeirinde (8), Deborah Adebowale (5), Aisha Oguntowo (10), Lege Taiwo (12), Balkis Ayanwale (8), Asa David (10), Shuaibu Aliyu (10), Ahmed Aliyu (7), Muiz Aliyu (5), Jomiloju Ogunlola (6), Agune Ndah (8), Elizabeth Abadi (5), Tosin Abadi (9), Pius Stephen (5), Hannah Ojo (14), Habiday Ayanwale (7), Mary Gabriel (6) and Jacob Gabriel.
According to information contained on the posters, the victims were abducted on May 23, 2025, during an attack on the two schools.
The posters carried the message: “Our teachers. Our children. Our future. They must all come home.”
They also appealed to government authorities, security agencies and members of the public to intensify efforts toward securing the safe return of the victims.
The campaign further called for unity, prayers and collective action, stressing that the safety and wellbeing of children remain non-negotiable.
It, however, called for intensified rescue operations to secure the release of victims abducted during the attack.
This resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by the lawmaker representing Oriire State Constituency, Johnson Ogundele, during plenary, shortly after the House resumed from the Eid-el-Kabir (Sallah) recess.
The motion highlighted growing insecurity in parts of the Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
Presenting the motion, Ogundele recounted the May 15 attack on Ahoro-Esienle, Oyo and Yawota communities, where bandits invaded during school hours, killing a teacher, a student and an okada rider, while abducting dozens of students, pupils and teachers.
The lawmaker expressed concern over the recurring attacks in the area, saying “Oriire had witnessed increasing bandit activities since January, including the attack on the National Park Service office at Oloka village, where five forest guards were killed.
“Let me use this period to call on Governor Seyi Makinde for his swift response, deployment of security operatives, rescue efforts and personal visit to the affected communities.
“I want to equally urge the state government to intensify support for security agencies and establish a permanent military base within and around vulnerable communities and forest corridors in the area.”
The Assembly also called on the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and the State Universal Basic Education Board to immediately conduct security audits of schools located near forests and border settlements across the state.
It said, “The Assembly also urges the government to expedite the installation of solar-powered security lights, perimeter fencing and CCTV cameras in vulnerable schools and to develop a comprehensive Safe School Emergency Response Protocol for public and private schools across Oyo.
“The Assembly equally rejects suggestions and calls that the State Government should negotiate with the bandits who abducted teachers and students during the coordinated attack at the community in Oriire Local Government Area of the state, on Friday, May 15, 2026.”
Seconding the motion, the Majority Leader, Sanjo Adedoyin (Ogbomoso South), renewed calls for the establishment of state police, urging the Federal Government to remove all obstacles delaying its creation.
Adedoyin said the recent rescue operations exposed the challenges conventional security agencies face while navigating dense forests, forcing them to rely heavily on local vigilantes and operatives of the state Western Nigeria Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun Corps, to penetrate difficult terrains.
He argued that the security realities confronting states had further justified the need for state police and urged the Federal Government to expedite action on the initiative.
Contributing to the debate, Olubisi Oluranti (Ogbomoso North) commended the efforts of Governor Makinde and security agencies but stressed the need for increased deployment of personnel to vulnerable communities to prevent future attacks.
Also, Gbenga Oyekola (Atiba) blamed part of the security challenge on poor management of the expansive forest reserve owned and maintained by the Federal Government.
He lamented that despite the vast forest stretching across several parts of Oyo State and neighbouring states, security presence within the reserve remained inadequate.
Oyekola further expressed concern that despite reports of mining activities in parts of the forest, including sightings of helicopters landing and departing from the area, adequate security measures had not been put in place to protect residents and legitimate operators.
Also speaking, Babajide Gabriel (Ibadan North II) called for far-reaching structural reforms of Nigeria’s security architecture.
He recalled Makinde’s previous concerns about the limitations faced by governors who are constitutionally regarded as chief security officers of their states but lack direct control over security agencies.
Gabriel appealed to the governor to recruit more personnel into the Amotekun Corps to strengthen local security operations and condemned attempts by some individuals to politicise the insecurity situation for partisan gains.
He urged all stakeholders to approach the challenge collectively, stressing that insecurity had become a national concern requiring unified action.
Dawood Olalere (Ibadan North-West) observed that kidnapping had evolved beyond forest-based criminality and was increasingly affecting urban and semi-urban communities.
He cited the reported abduction of the sister of former Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, and her two sons earlier on Wednesday as evidence of the widening threat posed by kidnappers.
Olalere called for better equipment and improved weaponry for Amotekun operatives, arguing that personnel armed with locally fabricated weapons could not effectively confront heavily armed criminal gangs operating in forests and remote locations.
The House subsequently adopted several resolutions, including a call on the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Defence and relevant agencies, to establish a permanent military base in Oriire LGA.
Lawmakers also urged the Oyo State Emergency Management Agency to provide trauma counselling, psychosocial support and relief materials to affected families, while calling on traditional rulers, community leaders and local government authorities to strengthen intelligence gathering and community policing initiatives.
The Assembly further directed its Committee on Security and Strategy to undertake an oversight visit to Oriire LGA to assess the security situation, engage stakeholders and recommend urgent legislative interventions.
In his remarks, Speaker of the House, Adebo Ogundoyin, firmly “dismissed calls for the state government to negotiate with terrorists and kidnappers,” warning that “such a move could embolden criminal elements and encourage further attacks.”
While acknowledging the frustration, anxiety and impatience of families whose loved ones remained in captivity, the Speaker urged residents to continue supporting security agencies and the state government in ongoing rescue efforts.
Ogundoyin maintained that negotiating with terrorists would send the wrong signal and potentially strengthen criminal networks, insisting that the focus should remain on sustained security operations, intelligence gathering and coordinated rescue missions aimed at securing the safe release of all victims.
He, therefore, reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to supporting measures that would strengthen security across Oyo and prevent a recurrence of attacks on schools and communities.
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