Soldiers of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army have invaded two communities in the Nkanu East and Nkanu West local government areas of the state for chasing away Fulani Herdsmen.
Ekpoffo and Akpugo were the two communities raided by the soldiers as youths and elderly people took to their heels.
Residents said the raid was over the sacking of herdsmen causing panic and terror in the community.
Others, however, said the soldiers were searching for members of the Indigenous People of Biafra.
Punch quoted community sources saying that the soldiers invaded Ekpoffo on Wednesday and whisked away some youths to unknown destinations.
A source said, “Soldiers numbering over 100 stormed Ekpoffo community in Nkanu East around 7.30pm on Wednesday. They moved from place to place, ransacking houses. Before then, they had blocked major roads leading to the community before swooping on the residents.
“I don’t know how many people were abducted yesterday (Wednesday). They were looking for our youths, but many of them had run away.”
The source also noted that the soldiers returned on Thursday with policemen and personnel of the Department of State Services and blocked all access roads leading to the community.
Another community source told our correspondent that the soldiers also invaded Ndiagu- Akpugo community and razed some houses.
“They went to the house belonging to a man popularly known as Bebia at Ugwu-agba in Ndiagu-Akpugo. They didn’t see anyone, so the soldiers set the house ablaze.
“As I am speaking to you, our young men have run away and some members of the community are relocating to the state capital in fear for their lives,” he added.
The traditional ruler of Adamagu Akpawfu community, Igwe Christopher Nnamani, who resides in the Enugu metropolis, said he received several phone calls from his subjects informing him of the invasion.
“I am on my way to my palace; come there so I can see who I am speaking with. I won’t like to speak with someone I have not seen on the telephone,” he said.
The Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division, Enugu, Col. Abubakar Abdullahi, declined comment when contacted by our correspondent on the incident.
He also did not respond to text messages as of the time of filing this report.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe, when contacted on the telephone also declined comment.
