ENUGU (Sundiata Post) – There is tension in Enugu State following the alleged sack of Nimbo community of Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State by suspected Fulani headsmen on Monday.
An eye witness who pleaded anonymity told Sundiata Post in Nsukka, Enugu State that the suspected herdsmen numbering about 300 invaded the community with guns and machetes shooting sporadically and killing people. “As they are killing people, injuring people they are also setting houses and vehicles ablaze. Many people have been killed, I do not have the actual number,” he said. Residents of Nimbo community and motorists have been scattered as people ran, he further said.
It was also said that a lorry was seen taking those killed and wounded out of the community.
When contacted, the chairman of Uzo-Uwani Local Government, Mr Cornell Owubuya confirmed the incident but regretted that in spite of all efforts to stop the attack through peace talk with Fulani leaders in the area it did not yield the desired result.
His words “Yes there is serious problem in my local government as suspected Fulani herdsmen today attacked Nimbo community. Information reaching me says many of my people have been killed, but I do not know the actual number now,” he told Sundiata Post.
Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Ebere Amarizu, confirmed the incident but said the Enugu State police commissioner, Mr Nwodibo Ekechukwu, had already moved to Uzo-Uwani Local Government Aeea to ensure that normalcy returned.
“Yes the police is aware of the attack in Uzo-Uwani and the state police commissioner is already there to ensure that the situation was brought under control. “Police is collaborating with sister security agencies like Army, Civil Defence, State Security Service,” he said.
However, many residents of Nsukka town wept uncontrollably when the bodies of those killed by the herdsmen were brought to be deposited in Bishop Shanahan Hospital, Nsukka.
A resident who gave his name as Mr Dennis Ezema, urged the Federal Government to do something urgently before it results into full war. “It’s unfortunate that people can be mercilessly killed by another person without human feeling. You can see how these people were killed and sliced like bread, people should respect the sanctity of human life,” he said.
Many of those who fled from Nimbo were now taking refuge in some primary schools in Nsukka town.