Gunmen invade Ebonyi community, kidnap many, injure others

Some gunmen have invaded Obeagu community in the Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, kidnapping undisclosed number of people on Thursday night.

The PUNCH reports that suspected herdsmen on March 29, 2021, invaded the community and killed 17 persons.

However, despite recovering the phone of one the invaders, no one has been arrested till date in connection with the attack.

Meanwhile, sources from the community told our correspondent Thursday night that the invaders, who laid siege along the community’s only access road, abducted people returning home.

The attack, it was gathered, also occurred at the same spot where the suspected herdsmen had attacked and killed 17 persons last year.

A resident of the community who gave his name as Clement Ngele told our correspondent that one Cyprian Aja, a teacher in Union Secondary School Obeagu, who escaped, was badly injured.

He said, “There’s serious attack in our community this evening. Some gunmen we believe are Fulani herdsmen invaded Obeagu community again. They laid siege at Oluleri-Esha along Obeagu-Egegede road. They attacked our people who were returning from town and abducted many. We don’t know how many number of people yet.

“Our people have mobilised boys and community security and they are searching all the bushes. Two people were badly injured.

“We alerted security agencies but we haven’t seen police or soldiers. As I speak to you I am in the bush with other boys in search of those abducted. Our neighbouring communities have been alerted about the development. Hopefully we will get them.”

The former Councillor of the community, Ejike Ede, confirmed the incident.

He said, “I thank God for mercies because I could have been one of the victims now. I learnt that immediately I passed the road, the hoodlums struck. Some people I passed on the road were victims.”

The Ebonyi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Chris Anyanwu, did not pick his calls as the phone rang out.

(Punch)