Two killed, properties razed as gunmen attack traders in Enugu community

At least two persons have been confirmed dead, while several properties were razed following an attack by gunmen on Eha-Amufu community in Isi-Uzo LGA of Enugu state.

The Enugu police command confirmed the development on Friday.

According to a statement by Daniel Ndukwe, Enugu police spokesperson, information gathered during an assessment tour of the community revealed that the traders were attacked at Orie market in Ogbete-Mgbuji village on Thursday.

“The tour enabled the Commissioner and the Security Chiefs to jointly assess, strategise and put in place immediate measures to avert further occurrence of the incidence and other heinous criminal acts, allegedly perpetrated by miscreants suspected to have intruded the area from border communities in Benue State,” the statement reads.

“Meanwhile, on-the-spot assessment of damages caused by the assailants, who are alleged to have intruded and attacked traders at Orie Market in Ogbete-Mgbuji village on 06/01/2022 and also previously perpetrated acts of kidnapping and murder in other parts of Eha-Amufu community, revealed the murder of two unidentified persons, setting ablaze of a mini bus, motorcycles, shops and the destruction of goods at the market.

“To this end, the Commissioner, while describing the casualties and damages caused by the assailants as callous and unwarranted, has ordered the immediate deployment of Police Operatives to maintain the normalcy already restored in the area, launch a thorough investigation to ascertain the immediate and remotes causes of the incidents, and manhunt of the assailants.

“He assured the use of both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to contain the situation, while urging members of the community to remain law-abiding and support the Police and other Security Operatives deployed to the area.”

Also present during the visit to the area were Christopher Ataki, commander of the 82 division, garrison command of the Nigerian Army; Habu Daluwa, state director of the Department of State Services (DSS); Jacob Abonyi, chairman of Isi-Uzo council area; Chukwuma Ede, president-general of Mgbuji development union, as well as leaders and vigilante groups in the area.

Meanwhile, the Enugu government has scheduled an “emergency security meeting” with stakeholders on the crisis.

Steve Oruruo, media aide to the governor, in a statement, said the meeting will take place on Saturday at the Enugu government house.

Those expected at the meeting are the chairman of the Isi-Uzo LG council, heads of security agencies, traditional rulers of autonomous communities in Eha-Amufu, presidents-general of autonomous communities in Eha-Amufu, youth leaders, clerics, and heads of vigilante groups in the area.