BEVERLY HILLS, AUGUST 25, (THEWILL) – About four months after similar attack on Nimbo community in Enugu state left several villagers dead with properties worth millions of naira destroyed, suspected Fulani herdsmen returned to the state killing a Seminarian of the Catholic Church and injuring several others in Ndiagu, Attakwu, Akegbe-Ugwu, Nkanu West Local Government Area of the state.
Reports say the armed herdsmen numbering about 50 stormed the community in the wee hours of Thursday with matches, and butchered every person in one of the compounds into which they gained access by climbing through the roof. They however succeeded in escaping after an alarm was raised.
Four members of the Ogbodo Nwarum family, where the Seminarian, Lazarus Nwafor who finished his apostolic work at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Ndiagu, Attakwu, last Tuesday, was a tenant, sustained severe machete cuts from the rampaging Fulani herdsmen who slit the stomach of a six months pregnant Mrs. Nwarum in the operation that started at about 2.15am.
Nwafor hails from Orlu in Imo State and was until his death a seminarian at the Catholic Spiritan International School of Theology, CSIST, Attakwu
Locals disclosed that the Fulani herders had entered their community the previous afternoon. On sighting them, a woman sounded a gong, after which the cows scattered; but the herdsmen were able to get the cows together and left only for them to attack the community at night.
Briefing newsmen on the incident, the traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Greg Ugwu, expressed shock that such horror was visited on his people without any form of provocation.
Meanwhile, the state governor, Hon. Ifeanyi‎ Ugwuanyi has already visited the community, vowing to leave no stone unturned in order to bring the perpetrators to book. The Governor also visited the Fulani settlement located at a valley in the community, where he and his entourage met a deserted camp, an indication that the herdsmen fled over night after the attack with all their belongings.
‎Ugwuanyi later returned to the village square where he addressed enraged members of the community, saying: “this morning, I received a report of an attack on Attakwu community by suspected Fulani herdsmen, during which one person, a seminarian was killed and four others injured; they are in the hospital at the moment.
“Even though the police have not conducted into the matter I hasten to condemn this act in the strongest terms and in its entirety as government will tolerate wanton destruction of lives and properties anywhere in the State by any one or group under any guise whatsoever.
“I have already summoned the Fulani community and relevant security agencies this afternoon to review the situation and determine the appropriate action to be taken.
“It is indeed unfortunate that this is happening just few days after the commission of enquiry on Nimbo killings submitted an interim report and is about to complete its assignment.
“I wish to, on behalf of the State Government, sympathize with the family of the deceased and I assure them that government will do everything necessary to ensure that the culprits are brought to book,” the Governor stated.
