Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, has called on the Federal Government and Enugu State to end the incessant attacks by herdsmen in Eha-Amufu community in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State.

Obi, in a statement posted on his verified X account, demanded that the perpetrators of these heinous acts in Eha-Amufu should be quickly brought to book to serve as a deterrent to others.

The message reads: “It’s yet another heartbreaking report of the brutal killing of innocent farmers in Ikpakpara village, Agumede, Eha-Amufu community in Enugu State. This is sad news coming too often in our country.

“My heart breaks for the Eha-Amufu people, for the grieving families, and for those still searching for their missing loved ones.”

He noted that the Eha-Amufu community has been experiencing a series of attacks that should lead to a permanent solution to the disruption of the people’s peaceful living. “These killings must stop,” he said.

“We cannot keep watching communities bleed without justice or protection. We cannot continue to allow our farmers to be afraid of going back to their farms. We cannot continue to allow insecurity.

“These communities deserve not only our compassion but also real and immediate security intervention.

“To the people of Eha-Amufu: You are not alone. I offer my heartfelt condolences to your community, and I pray that the souls of the departed rest in peace. May peace and security return to your land.”

Last weekend, a report from Eha-Amufu indicated that coordinated attacks by herdsmen left many people dead.

The coordinated attacks took place simultaneously in Agu-Amede and Mgbuji communities in the town over the weekend and were said to continue on Monday as more dead bodies were recovered on Monday afternoon.

A community leader in Agu-Amede, identified as Obeagu, said the herdsmen invaded farm settlements in Ikpakpara and other neighbouring ones.

He explained that the herdsmen came to the settlements through the border communities with Benue, freely executed the attacks, and quickly returned unchecked.

“Response hardly comes from security agents until after attacks are successfully done, and when they finally come, they would disarm our people, thus leaving them vulnerable to more attacks. This has continued unchecked for quite some time now,” he said.

Another villager, Kingsley, alleged that a helicopter was sighted in the nearby bushes some days ago before the terror was unleashed on the people of Ikpakpara farm settlement in Agu-Amede, Eha-Amufu.

“We have cried and contacted the local chairman. Nothing came from him. We reached out to the state government, and no solution was provided. From all indications, we would have to defend ourselves and our communities effectively.

“But the challenge is that the security agents seem to be supporting the attackers. They prefer to come several hours after the attacks to disarm our people and do nothing to the attackers.”

A report from the community members indicated that more than 10 bodies have been recovered, and there are signs that more might be recovered because many people are still missing.

Meanwhile, thousands of community members have been displaced and are currently taking refuge in different parts of Eha-Amufu town. (Daily Sun)