By NewsBits
A former Commissioner for Human Development and Poverty Reduction in Enugu State, Hon. Godwin Chidozie Ogenyi has said Mgbuji in Ehamufu, Isi-Uzo Local Government Area, Enugu State has been attacked 15 times by armed Fulani Herdsmen in 2022.
Hon. Ogenyi who is also the Executive Director, Yordel Africa and a Consultant told newsmen in an interview that many lives were lost last week after a two-day attack by Fulani herdsmen on his community.
Ogenyi who expressed sadness over the development said: “Apart from the recent attack that occurred on the 21 of November 2022, we have recorded 15 attacks this year by Fulani herders. This is besides several cases of kidnapping for ransom allegedly perpetrated by herdsmen in the area.
He said: “That attack of November 21st on rural dwellers in Ohuolu Mgbede, Aguamede, Mgbuji and Ebo communities in Eha-Amufu left 90 persons with severe injuries from machete cuts. Many of the villagers were displaced.” Meanwhile, the Spokesman of the Mgbuji community, Chijioke Ogbodo described the attack as an act of genocide.
He said: “Since the herdsmen started attacking our community, neither the police nor the military has arrested any of the terrorists. We received information on the attack this morning and alerted all the security agencies.
“I called the State Director of Security Services, and I called the state Commissioner of Police. We notified all the security agencies but as of 12pm, we were yet to see any single soldier or police. Our communities are being razed down and after the attack, the government will deploy soldiers to shield the jihadists.
“If the Nigeria police and other security agencies, especially the military cannot protect the people of the Southeast, then why are they after the Eastern Security Network that helped communities farm this season? Now, we can’t harvest our crops because so many of the ESN members have been killed. Presently, they are embarking on kidnapping and raping.”
He said “the most annoying part of this is that the terrorists have graduated from killing to kidnapping and raping of farmers and women.
“Just this July, poor farmers numbering thirty, coming back from their farmlands were kidnapped and ransom was paid for their freedom. Their abductors demanded N30 million but what the victim’s families were able to contribute was N2 million only.
“Before this incident, the December 29, 2021, kidnap incident is still fresh in our mind The victims just returned home for the yuletide celebrations. One of the indigenes of the Agu-Amede community, Eha-Amufu and a community leader, Mr Divine confirmed that his brother who returned for the celebrations is among the abducted victims.”
According to him, another ugly incident that occurred was that of January 7, 2022 as herdsmen said to be on military and police uniforms attacked traders at Orie Ogbete Mgbuji market and killed many people. The herdsmen sacked five village farm settlements in Mgbuji Eha-Amufu autonomous community on Tuesday and had since remained in those settlements destroying properties and burning houses.”
