A wave of destruction and displacement has swept through farm settlements in Eha-Amufu, Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State, following relentless attacks by assailants suspected to be herdsmen. The attacks, which have persisted for years, have intensified since 2020, leaving no fewer than 44 farm settlements, known as ‘Ndiagu’, overrun and their residents forced to seek refuge in neighbouring communities.
Among the affected communities are Abor Ishala, Mgbuji, Agu-Amede, Eha-Agu, and Umuhu. The most recent and heavily populated settlement to come under attack was Ndiagu Amofia village in Umuhu Eha-Amufu autonomous community on February 28. The residents, now displaced, have sought shelter in nearby communities.
In Abor, at least nine farm settlements were overrun, forcing residents to abandon their homes, now occupied by the assailants and their families. These settlements include Ogomungo, Ngele-Akpankpa, Okwum, Agerie, Ezegwu-Abor, Ashinu, Ovokpo, Mgbede-Abor, and Ngele-Acho. Similarly, four settlements in Umujoovu village—Mgbede, Edu, Nditsion, and Onuashinu—were also sacked.
Agu-Amede autonomous community saw nine settlements taken over by the attackers: Okpokwu, Uzamuado, Oduba-uzame, Onuchukwu, Efuakpa, Ogeriaba, Okpurugwu, Iyiasa, and Ikpakpara. In Eha-Agu autonomous community, three settlements—Odenigbo, Ashinu, and Isu—were completely deserted, with residents denied access to their homes and palm plantations.
The worst-hit community appears to be Mgbuji, where 18 farm settlements were sacked, compelling displaced residents to seek shelter in Enugu metropolis or with relatives. These settlements, now entirely occupied by suspected herdsmen, include Okpokwu, Okpurugwu, Obodomba, Uloumuorgirie, Ugwuoka, Ngele-Aguiyi, Ogbete-Obibi, Ogbete-Umulo, Agerie, Unuanu, Obodo-Ede, Ukwuakwa, Unomgbede, Iyiasa, Onu-Ashinu, Ubi, Ezegwu, and Omulo.
According to SaharaReporters’ investigation, the attacks began in 2002 but escalated significantly in 2020 under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. Chief Obeagu Odoh, a kinsman of the Isi-Uzo LGA Chairman, lamented that displaced residents remain without resettlement plans.
“Some are living in Enugu, some in rented apartments, while others are squatting with relatives,” Odoh stated. Another resident, Chigbo Okibe, added, “Nobody dares to return to the farm settlements. If you try, you either get killed, kidnapped for ransom, or barely escape with injuries.”
Mrs. Angela Ogenyi reported that over 180 people had been killed before the latest attacks. “Even when there seems to be peace, people are still being killed or injured while working on their farms,” she said. “Last time, we reported two missing persons to the State CID, but they have yet to return. We have documented evidence, yet some claim that nothing is happening.”
She also accused authorities of neglect. “When police were deployed to the community, they refused to go to the sacked settlements. The school in Ogbete, which former Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi reconstructed, was burned down by these marauders. That school served children from Mgbuji, Abor, and Umujoovu.”
Chibuzo Olinya, another affected resident, described how the herdsmen systematically dismantled their homes. “They burned down or stripped the roofs off houses, including the Catholic Church and primary schools. Some Fulani women have even occupied our homes, and when we return, they alert their armed men, who immediately surround us with AK-47s.”
Olinya questioned the motive behind the attacks, noting, “When we were young, the Fulani herdsmen were peaceful. They grazed their cattle and asked for water when needed. But this new group is different. We don’t know where they came from.”
Efforts by SaharaReporters to obtain comments from the Enugu State Police Command were unsuccessful, as spokesperson SP Daniel Ndukwe neither answered calls nor responded to text messages. Similarly, the state government has remained silent, with Governor Peter Mbah’s media office declining to comment on the crisis.
As displacement and insecurity persist, affected residents continue to seek answers and relief, while the authorities remain unresponsive to their plight.
This version restructures the report for clarity, maintaining all critical details and direct quotes while improving readability. Let me know if you’d like further refinements.
