Over the weekend, Ihiagwa Community in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo state Nigeria was attacked by suspected Fulani Herders who’s attempted plans to abduct some Indigenes and residents of the area failed.
The Ihiagwa Vigilante Group resisted the drastic attempt of herders to Kidnap some persons after several machetes cuts was by the suspected Fulani herders.
9News reports that the Fulani herders stormed Ihiagwa to kidnap Mr Obinna Opara , a close relative to the Fmr candidate of APGA, Hon Ekene Opara who contested the House of Assembly election for Owerri West state constituency IMHA.
On their arrival, Obinna was taken off by the herders and immediately the information got to the vigilante security, they swiftly stormed Nkaramoche Ihiagwa to chase the herders away because of the nearness of the Nkaramoche farm to the Ihiagwa residentials..
Investigation by 9News Nigeria reveals that several attempts made to chase the Fulani herders from Imo forest is not yielding good results and the multiplicity effects have remained a serious course of worry across Imo communities .
Eye witnesses told 9News Nigeria that Fulani herders have continued to launch several attacks on innocent citizens, farmers and Imo residents across various communities. At Amaeze, Okolochi , Nekede, Obibiezena axis and same abductors have tried to perpetuate same crime and were chased out by the Vigilante security without knowing that they proceeded to Nkaramoche farm in Ihiagwa on Wednesday afternoon to attack some residents.
As if abduction cum kidnapping has turned to be the most lucrative business perpetuated by criminals, hoodlums and bandits in the present day society, Government’s efforts and policies to combat criminalities have to be stepped up redoubled to safe lives.
Forests in Owerri West , Owerri North, Ngor Okpala, Ohaji Egbema, Avu, Oforola, Obinze, Mbaise, Nekede, Ihiagwa, Mbano, Okigwe and Orlu zone are seriously affected by abduction cases.
However, wednesday 12th, Feb , 2025, suspected Fulani herdsmen numbering about (7) seven person, have attacked Nkaramoche Ihiagwa community in Owerri West local government area of Imo state Nigeria and attempted killing their abductors but was disappointed in Nkaramoche Ihiagwa as verified by 9News.
Ihiagwa vigilante group on a tip-off rushed into the Nkaramoche farmland and wrestled against the criminal elements and rescued the abductors from the herdsmen during which they sustained several degrees of wound wound, dumped and ran to their heels.
Detailed information by 9News Nigeria has it that groups of unidentified persons , numbering about seven, suspectedly Fulani herders came into Nkaramoche Ihiagwa community on Wednesday afternoon in near launch of attack on residents , farmers, workers in the area.
It was on Wednesday afternoon the news of the attempted kidnap incident broke out having series of sample of evidence provided for clarification in this news and on social media outlets.
Some other eye witnesses told 9News Nigeria that the attack came as a surprise to the Nkaramoche community haven known the geographical location situate close to the popular busy general market square Ihiagwa.
The insecurity attack in Ihiagwa happened within same week after one notorious criminal was caught red handed at mid night hours in a neighboring Umuagwu Umuoma Nekede community. Several crimes are reportedly perpetuated on daily basis within these areas mentioned in this news and something drastic is expected of the community Leaders, Traditional Rulers, President Generals, ward Councilors, vigilant watch groups, forest guards and conventional security operatives to align in this clarion call to secure their territories.
Residents lamented the continuous attack by herdsmen across neighboring communities within the area while stating that the area is supposedly fortified alongside the help of FUTO, FEDPONEK and Government security networks.
Recall that over the weekend, a suspected criminal named Jabuikem Isaac who hails from Abakiliki but resident in wire crossing Umuagwu in Umuoma community in owerri was caught by the community watch at about 2:30hrs.
Further investigation reveals that same Jabuikem Isaac operates a barbing saloon in Okwu Umuoma Nekede in disguise of his criminal intent.
In the same vein , Umuezerokam Umuoma Nekede had earlier caught a criminal who’s interest lies on phone theft cum other several criminal activities happening within Umuoma Nekede community. Similar incident of phone theft that took place within the otamiri dragging site in Umuoma Nekede was also tracked by 9News Nigeria reporters.
Meanwhile, Ihiagwa vigilante Chairman and his combatant team have proven capacity and courage by chasing those criminals away from Nkaramoche axis and saved the Three abductors who are still taking treatment at an undisclosed hospital at the time of filling this report by 9News.
The elites, political leaders, community leaders, students and residents in the community have applauded Ihiagwa vigilante group in their joint efforts with the Ihiagwa police division to embark on the hot chase they gave to those suspected Fulani Herders that travailed Amaeze forest via okolochi, Ihiagwa to ravage Nkaramoche village wednesday.
I learnt the criminals attacked Amaeze community on the previous day and stretched their target to Nkaramoche Ihiagwa and Nekede axis, another eye witness told 9News.
While speaking with 9News Nigeria today Friday, the Chairman of Ihiagwa vigilante has reassured farmers and residents of Ihiagwa of maximum security while charging them to go about their normal activities and to make sure they will be in group of not less than ten (10) to twenty (20) persons anything they will be visiting their farms.
Security Chairman further beckoned on government to assist Ihiagwa community in fortifying their security network. Accordingly, Ihiagwa community and Owerri West people in general are law abiding citizen and cannot take laws into their hands but beckoning on government to come to their rescue to mobilize more conventional security in these gray areas marked for herders attack.
The three people attacked in the Nkaramoche Ihiagwa herder planed abduction were Obinna Opara, Cyracus Onujiogu and Chinedu Asiegbu. The three are resident in Umuezeawula, Ibuzo Ihiagwa respectively.
-Princely Onyenwe reporting
For inquiries on this news contact 9News Nigeria @08036856526
