Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
Armed men suspected to be herdsmen on Sunday morning attacked Amegu Nkalagha community in Ishielu Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, killing many residents and burning down houses.
The incident is believed to be a reprisal attack following the killing of some cows belonging to the herdsmen in the area.
A member of the community, Professor Ndubuisi Idenyi, confirmed the attack to our Reporter.
According to him, the herdsmen attacked the community in the early hours of Sunday killing many people and burning down houses.
“I don’t have the number of casualties right now. We are still tracking and bringing out the dead bodies especially those killed in the farms.”
Another source said a Pastor of a Pentecostal Church in the area was among those killed in the attack.
The source who pleaded anonymity said the community members were not responsible for the killing of the cows.
“We did not kill their cows. The cows were killed by members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) in the forest,” the source who pleaded anonymity said.
Chairperson of Isheilu Local Government Area, Ifeoma Peace Agwu, confirmed the incident.
She said: “We are taking the victims’ bodies to the mortuary right now. I cannot talk much on it now. We w give more details later,” she said.
Police spokesperson, Joshua Ukandu, however said he was not aware of the incident.