Bandits suspected to be herders have launched another attack on Agu-Amede community close to Eha-Amufu in the Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State, killing one person and burning a house.
SaharaReporters gathered that the recent incident happened on Sunday, January 21, 2024, at Odoba and Isi Agbuhu villages in Agu-Amede.
A community leader, Ephraim Ogbu, who confirmed the attack to SaharaReporters on Monday, gave the name of the victim of the latest attack as "Ikechukwu Odomi from Isi Agbuhu Agu Amede".
According to him, the bandits also burnt a house belonging to one Chibuike Olinya in Odoba Agu Amede village, adding that he was lucky to have narrowly survived the attack.
Ogbu revealed that despite that the attack lasted for hours, the soldiers deployed to Eha-Amufu or any security agency did not show up.
"Our people provided timely information to both military and police. The soldiers only told us that they were on patrol and they didn't come. What we don't know is whether the soldiers are here to protect the bandits?" he asked.
He lamented that since late last year, Fulani bandits who have occupied a large expanse of their farmland have continued to attack and kill their people without any challenge by security agencies.
He said, "The burning of a bungalow newly completed and finished occurred in the early hours in Odoba village. The bandits supervised and ensured that nothing was salvaged in the house.
"Ikechukwu Odomi from Isi Agbuhu was taking his in-law back to his house when he met the bandits on the road. He abandoned his vehicle and ran into the bush. They pursued him and set the bush ablaze and killed him. His in-law escaped when they were pursuing him. That only saved the woman."
“The bandits come into the community at will, kill and burn houses," he lamented.
SaharaReporters reported on January 3, 2024, that gunmen suspected to be herders had launched another attack on Agu-Amede community in the Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of the state, killing two young men who were there for Christmas celebrations.
SaharaReporters had reported that communities in Eha-Amufu town including Agu-Amede, Mgbuji, and Abor, among others witnessed large-scale attacks in 2021 and 2022 by gunmen suspected to be Fulani herders and members of militias from Benue State.
Over 152 persons were killed and over 20 farm settlements were reportedly attacked with their properties burnt.
Meanwhile, efforts made by SaharaReporters to get the reaction of the spokesperson for the state police command, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, failed.
He did not answer his calls or reply to a text message sent to him.