An attack on Mgbuji community in Eha-Amufu, Isi-Uzo local government area of Enugu State, has left three farmers dead and several others injured.
The assault, allegedly carried out by herdsmen, occurred on Friday, November 22, 2024.
According to eyewitnesses, the attack was brutal, with one of the victims slaughtered inside his rice farm. A video clip showed the victim lying lifeless, with a basket of cassava he had harvested just before the attack.
Ogenyi Odoh, the community leader, stated that the Fulani herdsmen killed three farmers and destroyed hectares of rice farms due for harvest.
“Today, three people who went to their farms were killed in a most savage brutality. What is their offense? They went to their farms, and while they were on their farms, herdsmen entered the farms and started eating the crops. 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 in his rice farm,” he said.
Odoh further revealed that the attack and destruction of farm crops, especially rice farms, started about two weeks ago. He also expressed concern over the lack of adequate security in the area, stating that soldiers deployed to strategic locations in Eha-Amufu were withdrawn without explanation before the attacks resumed.
The wounded victims have been rejected by the state Teaching Hospital (ESUT Parklane) in Enugu due to an ongoing workers’ strike.
Odoh called on the federal and Enugu State governments to intervene urgently, saying, “Only about six soldiers are in the entire Eha-Amufu with 100s of kilometers border with Benue State. Our vigilantes are working, but there is not much they can do. The herders are armed with AK-47 rifles with several loaded magazines.”
He added, “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 whopping N3 million is demanded to even commence treatment. So, you can see the severity.”
