Bloodbath as Fulani herdsmen invade communities in Enugu State

About 40 persons have been reportedly killed by some Fulani herdsmen at Nimbo in Uzo- Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State.

The incident took place barely 24 hours after news filtered out that no fewer than 500 heavily-armed Fulani herdsmen sneaked into the community in preparation for an attack.

About seven villages in Nimbo (Nimbo Ngwoko, Ugwuijoro, Ekwuru, Ebor, Enugu Nimbo, Umuome and Ugwuachara) were affected.

Ten residential houses and a church, Christ Holy Church International AKA Odozi Obodo, were also said to have been razed down by the herdsmen just as vehicles and motorcycles were destroyed and domestic animals killed.

A young man, whose name was yet to be ascertained, was burnt inside a commuter bus belonging to one Ejima, son of a prominent man popularly called ‘Are you there’ near the Christ Holy Church, Nimbo. Kingsley Ezugwu, former Councillor, Nimbo Ward 2, was one of the victims of the invasion.

Speaking from his hospital bed in Nsukka, he said:

I was coming out from the house when I heard the community bell ringing. I was going with a friend to know what the bell was all about, only to see about 40 Fulani herdsmen armed with sophisticated guns and machetes.
They pursued us, killed my friend and shot at me several times but missed. They caught up with me and used machetes on me until I lost consciousness.

He said he crawled until a good samaritan helped him to the hospital. So far, six dead bodies have been recovered and deposited at Bishop Shanahan Hospital, Nsukka, while others, who sustained injuries were rushed to Royal Cross Hospital and Enugu State District Hospital, Nsukka.

The bodies of those recovered included that of an old man of about 85, and another young man whose throat was slit.  One of the victims, who was simply identified as Mr. Ajogwu, father of the former Councillor for Nimbo Ward 1, Sunday Ajogwu, had his left hand mutilated.

Another one had his stomach ripped open with his intestines spilling out.  Meanwhile, villagers and other residents of the area were already fleeing the town.
 
Police sources said it would be difficult to say the actual number of those killed, even as the killing is currently spreading to other parts of the local government.

See photos as shared by a Facebook user, Aluma Jona Enyi: