Three Enugu farmers killed in renewed herdsmen attacks

No fewer than three farmers have been confirmed killed in the Mgbuji community in Eha-Amufu, Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State by suspected killer herdsmen in renewed attacks.

Several others were also reported wounded in the attacks which took place on Friday morning.

Video clips seen by City Round showed one of the victims slaughtered inside his rice farm lying beside a basket of cassava he reportedly harvested before he was attacked.

It should be recalled that suspected herdsmen militias under President Muhammadu Buhari, had sacked over 20 farm settlements in Eha-Amufu communities and killed no less than 123 locals between 2019 and 2022, during clashes over farm destruction.

A community leader, Ogenyi Odoh, who confirmed the latest attacks and killings, begged for the government’s urgent intervention to stop what he described as murderous attacks by killer herdsmen.

He said, “Today three people who went to their farms were killed in a most savagery brutality. What is their offence? They went to their farms and while they were on their farms, herdsmen entered the farms and started eating them.

“They were asked to leave and the next thing was to kill them. As you can see in one of the video clips, the man was killed on his rice farm.

“You can also see in the video the large rice farm that Fulani herdsmen will maliciously destroy after four months of hard work. Is there a conspiracy, otherwise, how come after the Nigerian Army withdrew soldiers deployed to Eha-Amufu before the election and attacks and killings resumed?”

Odoh added, “Only about six soldiers are in the entire Eha-Amufu with 100s of kilometres border with Benue State. Our vigilantee are working but there is not much they can do. The herders are armed with AK-47 rifles.

“The man they (herders) butchered that was brought to Parklane hospital was rejected. As we speak, doctors are battling to save him at a private hospital where a whooping N3m is demanded to even commence treatment. So, you can see the severity.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe, when contacted said he had no such report.

“I don’t have any reports on such incidents yet,” he said.