By Chidi Nkwopara
OWERRI—Pressure has gripped Amakohia-Ubi neighborhood in Owerri West Native Authorities Space of Imo State following a lethal assault by suspected armed Fulani herders, which left one vigilante chief lifeless whereas others stay lacking or wounded.
The incident, which occurred on Wednesday night round 6:30 pm, sparked panic and a mass exodus of residents who fled to neighbouring communities for security.
A villager, who recognized himself merely as Mr Paul, advised Vanguard that the slain vigilante chief, recognized as Monday Nwaozuzu, alias Ojo Ola, was gunned down through the confrontation.
“The lifeless, wounded, and lacking individuals are all members of our neighborhood vigilante group. Monday Nwaozuzu was killed by the herdsmen, whereas others are nonetheless lacking or wounded. A minimum of three members of the vigilante had been caught up within the conflict,” Paul stated.
One other resident, who spoke on situation of anonymity, defined that the difficulty began when vigilante members tried to stop herders and their cattle from coming into farmlands across the neighborhood faculty axis.
“It’s routine for our vigilantes to protect our farms. Yesterday, they encountered the herders and requested them to show again, however they refused. Unknown to our males, the herders had been absolutely armed. Out of the blue, they opened hearth, killing Monday and injuring one other. Since then, we now have been combing the bushes, trying to find these lacking,” the supply recounted.
The villager added that suspicion of abduction heightened when one of many vigilantes’ telephone quantity was dialed on Thursday morning, just for a suspected herder to reply the decision.“For now, nobody can say whether or not our brothers are lifeless or simply kidnapped. This isn’t the primary time our neighborhood has suffered such assaults in latest months,” he lamented.
As at press time, the spokesperson of the Imo State Police Command, Henry Okoye, had not responded to inquiries on the assault. Nonetheless, villagers confirmed that safety operatives had visited the realm for an on-the-spot evaluation, whereas the physique of the deceased vigilante chief had been deposited in a morgue.
The neighborhood stays on edge as residents proceed to flee, fearing additional assaults from the rampaging herders.
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