Residents of Amegu Nkalaha Community in Ishielu Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, have fled their homes after a deadly attack by suspected armed herdsmen on Sunday left at least 16 people dead.
When Reporters visited the area on Monday, hundreds of displaced villagers were seen evacuating their belongings, including household items, to nearby communities. Survivors gathered in small groups, mourning the loss of family members while pointing to destroyed homes and burned properties.
During the attack, which occurred on Sunday morning while many residents were attending church services, several homes were set ablaze. Sahara Reporters counted at least 25 completely razed houses and seven burned yam barns. Some of the corpses recovered had their throats slit, while others bore multiple gunshot wounds.
According to local sources, three additional bodies were discovered on Monday morning, adding to the initial death toll. Some of those killed include:
– Simon Ogbuabor
– Nnaji Nwa Omebe
– James Ogbu (retired police officer)
– Alloy Nnaji (Eze Nwata)
– Amos Ogbu
– Alfred Igwurube
– Assistant Pastor of Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministry, and his principal, Pastor Ibam
At least two victims were reportedly killed inside a church.
Several residents accused the Nigerian Army and Police of failing to prevent the attack despite prior warnings. They alleged that security forces visited the community on Saturday, instructing residents not to flee, assuring them of protection. However, when the attackers struck the next morning, no security reinforcements arrived until hours later.
One resident, Edeze, claimed that after the massacre, soldiers seized phones from locals recording the destruction, warning them not to share any images or videos.
Another resident, Elder Simon Idenyi, described how government officials, accompanied by military and police representatives, held a peace meeting with the community and Fulani herdsmen on February 1. He said they were assured of safety but were later abandoned when the attack took place.
Following the incident, Nigerian Army troops and police officers arrived to console the affected families and transport some recovered bodies to the morgue.
The Ebonyi State Deputy Governor, Patricia Obila, was accused of prioritizing the protection of Fulani herdsmen’s cattle over the lives of residents. Some community members alleged that the government is quick to take action when cows are harmed but remains silent when farms are destroyed and people are killed.
Mrs. Clementina Ogbu, a grieving resident, questioned why security forces only arrived after the attackers had left.
“We were getting ready for church when gunshots started coming from every direction. Some of us hid in the bushes while watching our homes and food barns burn. We spent the night in the bush, and now we have nothing left—no food, no shelter. We need urgent help,” she said.
The Ebonyi State Police Command confirmed the attack, stating that 10 bodies had been recovered so far. Police spokesperson Joshua Ukandu assured that investigations were ongoing, adding that normalcy was gradually returning to the area.
Despite these assurances, residents remain fearful, with many abandoning their homes in search of safety.
This latest attack adds to the growing security concerns in Nigeria, where conflicts between herdsmen and farming communities continue to claim lives and displace thousands.
