Why killer herdsmen have continued attacks on Eha-Amufu

Despite last week's deployment of 200 soldiers to the contain the killing of Eha-Amufu indigenes in Isi-Uzo local government area of Enugu state, killings have continued in the communities.

In the latest incident that took place last Thursday, four more farmers were reportedly killed in Mgbuji, Eha Amufu community, bring the number of persons killed in Eha-Amufu within the month of June to over 30 persons.

The killer herdsmen had on June 9 killed four persons in Mgbuji and in went to Ikpakpara-Aguamede on June 15 where they used machetes to brutally kill about 20 persons.

The surviving locals in the community disclosed that the killer herdsmen were dropped by a helicopter that reportedly flew around the community earlier in day and invaded community at about 4:30pm when some people were still in the church and started slaughtering the natives like cows.

"They did not even announce their operation with any gun shot. They just came in and started using machetes to butcher people and had killed more to than 10 persons in their homes before anybody knew what was happening."

No less than 10 corpses were recovered with severe machete cuts deep into their skulls and other parts of their bodies while more people were declared missing.

Till date, the Enugu State Police command is yet to make any official statement on the killings, same as the Enugu State government of the of Isi-Uzo local government council authority.

Whereas it was reported that security operatives have been moved to the affected communities sharing boundary with Benue state after the Mbuji killing, there has not been any respite since for the people of Eha-Amufu and other communities in Isi-Uzo local government area that share boundaries with Benue state.

Intelligent reporter revealed that those behind the Ikpakpara Agamede killings is the family of one BAZO, one of the three militant Fulani families terrorizing Isi-uzo general areas. 

The family according to source, complained of loss of their children whom they believe, were killed in Isi-uzo local government area.

"The attack was led by a biological son to BAZO who was equally understood to be planning to attack a different village of Isi-uzo. Hence the attackers do move in from Benue. All entry points must be very properly guarded this night by all means possible, please," the report said.

Killings in Eha-Amufu and Ikem communities of Isi-Uzo local government area at the Benue state boundaries has lasted for over eight years. Killings by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Eha-Amufu started in 2017.

According to reports, between 2017 and 2022, suspected Fulani militias attacked over 20 farm settlements in Eha-Amufu communities, resulting in the deaths of at least 123 locals. The attacks have continued over the years, with a significant incident occurring on December 8, 2022, where 23 persons lost their lives in one village, and another attack on November 22, 2024, which killed three farmers.