Residents of Mgbuji and other neighbouring villages in Ehamufu, Isi Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State, have deserted their homes following renewed killings by Fulani herders in the area.
Community sources told the StandardObservers that there is a mass exodus out of the town and surrounding villages.
A source said a Federal College of Education in the area has also been forced to shut down as students scampered for the safety of their lives.
A pastor in the area, Raymond Odo said the killings have intensified in the last two weeks.
He said the police had visited the area a few months ago and told people to submit their Dane guns and other light weapons which they were using to protect themselves and later abandoned them to their fate.
He said the Eha-Amufu Communities of Mgbuji, Aguamede, Abor, Umujiovu and even the Eha-Amufu township itself (Camp) are all being laid to waste.
“Even now, the boisterous part of Aguamede, Eha-Amufu, Ikpakpara are under serious siege, people are being killed and houses including churches burnt in a most devastating capacity.
“Our neighbours from Benue also procured the services of these Fulani herders to deal with us. People are leaving Ehamufu in droves and security agents are nowhere to be seen”.
Another resident, Eze Ugochi said the community is a border town to Northern Nigeria and has become their albatross.
She said she lost her parents during a similar killing in April, adding that it has been from one attack to the other.
“Our God-given gift of a large expanse of fertile and arable land has become a curse rather than a blessing to us.
“Herdsmen in a most covetous and land-grabbing appetite are out to eliminate all of us in order to take our land for cow grazing and other sundry economic benefits”.
Meanwhile, State Government has invited stakeholders from the community to an emergency security meeting with Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Those invited include Chairman Isi-Uzo Local Government Council; Commissioner For Commerce and Industry, and other top Government Officials from Eha-amufu; the Bishop representing the members of the Clergy from Eha-amufu and all other leaders nominated by the various communities in Eha-amufu.
Steve Oruruo, Special Adviser to the Governor on Information said in a statement all invitees to the crucial meeting are expected to be seated by 2 pm on Tuesday, 20th December 2022 at the Lion Building Government House, Enugu.
