NEWS DIGEST- Eha-Amufu is one out of five towns in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area, Enugu State. It is regarded as the largest and most populated community in Isi-Uzo local government. Isi-Uzo Local Government is part of Enugu East Senatorial Zone.

According 2006 census it has an area of 877 km2 and a population of 148,415 people. Eha-Amufu shares border with Benue State at the Northern part and Ebonyi State at the Southern part.

It is made up of 10 villages, Namely: Abor, Agu-Amede, Amede, Ape-Mgbuji ,Ihanyi ,Isu, Mguji etc

Eha-Amufu was a community where people literally sleep outside on mats for the want of fresh air.

This was necessitated by bunch of trees and secured environment it had. Most of the habitants are predominantly farmers.

They have a fertile land that grows crop so well without the addition of any fertilizer. It is a community where hunger and starvation is almost impossible to find. Even the laziest of them can still boast of three square meal a day.

How the days of horror began

Aha-Amufu flourished in milk and honey until they started to have the problem of insecurity in the early days of 2021. Herdsmen invasion began the plight if woes.

Members of the community’s farm lands and means of livelihood were destroyed by herdsmen. Herdsmen invasion was initially occasional until it became regular.

This propelled villagers from Mgbuji became worriedly tired and chased the herders out..
In the ensuing struggle between the villagers and the herdsmen, few cows were killed which now led to the herders launching a massive and ferocious reprisal.

The fight extended to other villages in Eha-Amufu, Isi- Uzo Local Government Area. On January 16, 2022 Blueprint Newspaper reported an attack by herdsmen on Mgbuji village in Eha-Amufu. The impact of which was massive.

“Eha Amufu community of Enugu state were enmeshed in mourning and lamentation. Houses were set ablaze as well.

Suspected Fulani herdsmen invaded a farm settlement in the community and killed five people with several others seriously injured in the wee hours of that morning.

As a result of this ugly development, the settlers started relocating to nearby towns and villages in droves because their farm settlements and communities were no longer habitable.”

Détail info>https://www.blueprint.ng/eha-amufu-day-enugu-community-erupted-in-turmoil

The effects of the fight on the community

The fight between herders and people of Mgbuji extended to other villages. The attack grew from invading of farms to Kidnapping, rape cases, thefts, burning of houses and killing in dozens became the order of the day.

It was reported that 3 vigilantees lost their lives while pursuing kidnappers who were probably Fulani herdsmen that had kidnapped a woman and an 11-year daughter of Dr Eugene Edeoga, younger brother to Hon Chijoke Edeoga, the commissioner for environment.

Another attack was reported on June 17, 2022 by Vanguard news. Eight persons were reportedly killed including a local vigilante identified as Emmanuel Obodo who was beheaded during the attack by suspected herdsmen.

Detail info> https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/06/herdemen-attack

Ever since the first attack many have been killed and hundreds are been displaced from their homes. People who choose to stay back or probably have no place to run to are afraid to go to their farms. Their crops withers and die due to lack of care and weeding.

How the attack affects some of the villagers

Speaking with one of the habitants by name Joel Kosiso from Agụ-Amede village in Eha-Amufu, Isi-Uzo Local Government. He lamented bitterly on the attack by herdsmen and said a lot of his friends has abandoned the village for no one knows when they will attack again.

He also said hunger is beginning to ravage the whole village as there is nothing to harvest from the farm.

Talking about how the attack affected him personally, he cried out on how he lost about 100,000 (Hundred thousand) Naira on the month of August.

The entrepreneur Joel kosiso, collects loan from his friends to cultivate crops. He usually payback with 25% interest on any amount you give to him after harvesting and selling off the farm products. But this time it was a bad business as herdsmen attack his farm in early August.

Another Villager identified as Emeka Uzu cried bitterly on loosing his uncle on the attack by herdsmen on 30th August. All effort to get the detail of how the attack happened was not successful.

Before and After Military intervention

“Everyone was at peace for a while when the military came and intervened. They stayed for a while and it was not up to weeks they left before the herdsmen attacked again” Joel Kosiso said.

He also said he missed his childhood days when he used to play under the rain, tell moonlight stories, go to the stream to fish etc but now it is no longer possible for anyone, everyone is trying their very best to be vigilant. He called on the state government to come to their aid.

A part of the village in Agu-Amede known as Iyiasa is totally abandoned by the habitants. The village is deserted because of constant visit of the herdsmen. One of the villagers who hails from there said that once in a blue moon, some courageous men goes there to either farm or harvest their products discreetly whenever hunger strike hits.

Some do loose their life from time to time as some of the herdsmen have already made it their settling base. The killing has not stopped them from sneaking into the village to farm their land.

While speaking with one of the villagers from Iyiasa, Agụ-Amede who choose to stay anonymous he reported that when what they were eating at the community they fled to got finished, one of his kinsmen went to the abandoned village Iyisa to get some food but unfortunately he met his demise in the hands of the herdsmen.

The unending woes

Aside the herdsmen attack, many part of Eha-Amufu like Agụ-Amede, Mgbuji, Abor, Amede, Isu, ihanyi, does not have good road, clean water, electricity, well structured markets and  other basic infrastructure and amenities.

People no longer go to farms in Eha-Amufu community, habitants scares off their relative who are in the city from coming to the village for fear of getting kidnapped or killed.

What should be done

Police checkpoint should be stationed at strategic places in the community. As it’s proven that it is not a fight for local vigilantes. More elite forces needs to be stationed to this community to bring their life back to them.

These herdsmen that are causing menace should be treated equally like terrorist and criminals. The lost of life and property is already too much in this community that has offended no one but to live at peace this whole time. It is time government comes to their aid.

Food supplies and proper medication needs to be given to them. Most of the kids are malnourished and people keeps dying everyday.

All effort to reach the Local Government Chairman by name Joseph Olinya was not successful. His mobile number was either not reachable or not available when dialed.

Report by:

Nwobi Chidubem Valentine