The Amegu Nkalaha community in the Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State was struck by an attack on Sunday, believed to be carried out by suspected herdsmen. The attack resulted in the burning of several homes, and while the exact number of casualties remains unclear, local authorities have confirmed fatalities.
Spokesperson for the Ebonyi State Police Command, SP Joshua Ukandu, confirmed the attack to reporters, noting that police officers have been dispatched to the scene. While the situation is under investigation, Ukandu stated that authorities are still working to determine the full extent of the casualties.
“Police are responding to the incident; yes, there was an attack,” Ukandu said. “The leadership is still trying to figure out how many people were killed in the incident.”
Ifeoma Agwu, chairperson of the Ishielu Local Government Area, also acknowledged the attack but noted that the identification and recovery of bodies were still underway. She refrained from providing further details, explaining that more information would be shared as the situation developed.
“The bodies of the victims are currently being taken to the mortuary. I can’t discuss it much right now. We’ll provide additional information later,” Agwu said.
The motive behind the attack remains uncertain, but some community members have suggested that it could be linked to recent tensions surrounding the killing of cows owned by local herders. According to an anonymous source, personnel from the Eastern Security Network (ESN) were responsible for slaughtering the calves in a nearby forest. The community has since experienced rising tensions, with efforts made to prevent retaliatory violence.
As investigations continue, authorities and locals are working to piece together the circumstances surrounding the deadly attack, while the community grapples with the aftermath of the devastating violence.
