Herdsmen Killings: Enugu invaded again, Catholic Seminarian killed, pregnant woman injured

• Robbers engage police in gun duel

Less than five months after the invasion and killing of scores of people of Ukpabi-Nimbo community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State by suspected Fulani herdsmen, another community in the state, Ndiagu Atakwu- Akagbeugwu in Nkanu West Local Government Area, was invaded early hours of yesterday by suspected herdsmen.

The invaders killed a Catholic seminarian and wounded four other persons, including a pregnant woman whom they nearly disembowelled. The wounded persons were taken to Mother of Christ Hospital and Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Park Lane, Enugu, respectively where doctors were said to be battling to save their lives. Eye witness account indicated that the herdsmen had, earlier on Wednesday, herded their cows into one Ogbodo Nwarum family compound in Atakwu community and a woman in the compound was said to have beaten a gong which sent the cows scampering in all directions.

One of the herdsmen reportedly came to warn the woman for the alarm and even threatened that they would attack them in the night. The people, who have been cohabiting with the Fulani people, who had their camp in the communal land nearby, did not take the threat seriously.

But about 2a.m. yesterday, the herdsmen allegedly traced the compound, climbed into the building through the roof, unbolted the main door to allow more invaders in, and slaughtered the seminarian, one Lazarus Nwafor, while inflicting mortal injuries to the landlord of the house, Ogbodo Nwarum, his aged mother, pregnant wife and son.

The seminarian, who was said to have just graduated from the seminary, Spiritan International School of Theology, Atakwu, was said to hail from Imo State, but resident in the compound, and was said to have just returned the previous day from school after graduation.

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who rushed to the community to assess the situation and calm frayed nerves, also visited the Fulani settlement near the community where it was discovered that the Fulani people had ran away with their families for fear of reprisal.

While addressing the people, Ugwuanyi expressed regret that the attack was coming few days after a commission of inquiry set up by the state government over the Nimbo attack on April 21 submitted an interim report to him.

He condemned the act in the strongest terms, saying that government cannot tolerate the wanton destruction of lives anywhere in the state by anyone or group under any guise whatsoever. “I have already summoned security meeting this afternoon of Fulani community and the security agencies in Enugu State to review the situation and determine the appropriate actions to be taken,” he said.

Ugwuanyi expressed sympathy to the family of the deceased and wounded and assured that government would do everything necessary to ensure that the culprits were apprehended and brought to book.

Enugu had come under siege on Wednesday evening as dare devil gunmen suspected to be armed robbers wreaked havoc as they engaged in shooting spree along major streets, killing one person and snatching several vehicles. However, security operatives rose to the occasion as they chased and engaged the gunmen in a shootout that lasted for several minutes.

The security agencies, led by the Enugu State command of the Nigeria Police Force, pinned down and smashed the notorious armed hoodlums at Independence Avenue, near Government House, Enugu. The hoodlums started their operation around New Market Enugu, from where they moved to Edinburgh Road/Ogui new layout axis and its environs where they killed a man identified as “Ayaka”, a commercial bus driver, who was relaxing in a drinking joint.

The gunmen, suspected to also be members of a cult, snatched some vehicles and moved in a convoy from Edinburgh through Nkpokiti Road, Rangers Avenue down to Independence Avenue/ Government House roundabout where they held commuters and residents hostage before security operatives intercepted them following strident calls from members of the public. Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Superintendent of Police (SP) Ebere Amaraizu, said the armed hoodlums, numbering four, had held Edinburgh axis to a standstill, shooting sporadically before the operatives of the command, acting on the report, swooped on them.

During the gun duel, which ensued between the police and hoodlums, one police officer, Sgt Kingsley Chuwuamago, from the Special Anti- Robbery Squad, Enugu, was knocked down by the second vehicle of the hoodlums while he was engaging the robbers at Mkpokiti Enugu.

It was further gathered that men of the Department of State Security (DSS) and military personnel who were quickly deployed to the scene from nearby Government House, assisted in over powering the gunmen.

Meanwhile, the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, has condemned the attack on Attakwu-Akagbe Ugwu community, Enugu State. Ekweremadu said that the incessant attacks on parts of the country by suspected herdsmen posed a grave threat to the peace, security, and economy of the country.

He called on the Federal Government to take decisive steps to put a stop to the ugly incidents. He said: “This is another heartbreak, not only for Enugu State, but the nation in general and whatever evil forces behind these reprehensible acts certainly do not wish the country well. It must not be condoned.

“The primary object of government is the welfare and security of the citizens. The Federal Government must take decisive steps to put a full stop to this wanton destruction of lives and property; and the security agencies must do everything humanly possible to ensure that the perpetrators of this act of wickedness in Akagbe-Ugwu do not go unpunished.”