Men suspected to be fighters in the Fulani herdsmen militia have attacked Attakwu, a community in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State killing a seminarian of the Catholic Church and several others.
According to Daily Post, the Fulani herdsmen, who were up to 50 and heavily armed, invaded the town in Enugu State, shooting and hacking anybody on sight, Thursday, August 25, 2016.
A seminarian, Lazarus Nwafor was butchered by the attackers. Community members say that had just returned from apostolic missionary work. He was a seminarian at the Catholic Spiritan International School of Theology, CSIST, Attakwu.
Four members of a family, Ogbodo Nwarum family, who were landlords to the late Nwafor, sustained machete cuts and are in critical condition and were taken to the Mother of Christ Teaching Hospital and Parklane Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Vanguard reports.
A pregnant woman, Mrs. Nwarum, had her stomach ripped open by the Fulani herdsmen.
A source say that the herdsmen arrived the town around 2.30am in the morning and disappeared into the night after their operation.
“They just came early this morning and started killing people,” a community leader said. “There is confusion everywhere now; people are running helter-skelter.”
Graphic images of the victims were sent to The Trent by a community leader, who pleaded anonymity. You may view them HERE and HERE. (Warning: The images are extremely graphic. Viewer discretion is advised.)
Ugwuanyi Weeps as He Visits Atakwu
Ifeanyi Ugawanyi, the governor of Enugu State, on Thursday, August 25,2016 was moved to tears as he visited Attakwu and saw the scene of the brutal attacks by the Fulani herdsmen milita.
The governor met with community elders, a Catholic Bishop, and members of the community who recounted their experiences of the horrific attack moving him to tears.
Ekweremadu Reacts
Nigeria’s senate deputy president, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has condemned the fresh attacks in his home state in the strongest terms.
In an e-mailed statement issued on Thursday, August 25, 2016, Ekweremadu lamented that the incessant attacks on parts of the country by Fulani herdsmen militia posed a grave threat to the peace, security, and economy of the country.
He urged the federal government to rein in the trend in a decisive manner.
“This is another heartbreak, not only for Enugu State, but the nation in general; and whatever evil forces behind these reprehensible acts certainly do not wish the country well. It must not be condoned,” the statement said.
“The primary object of government is the welfare and security of the citizens. The federal government must take decisive steps to put a full stop to this wanton destruction of lives and property; and the security agencies must do everything humanly possible to ensure that the perpetrators of this act of wickedness in Akagbe-Ugwu do not go unpunished.”
