Panic as residents flee Anambra community over alleged herdsmen attack

Residents of Mmiata community in Anambra West Local Government Area of Anambra State have raised the alarm over alleged incessant attack on their Ebenebe farm settlement and community by suspected herdsmen.

The locals said the ugly development had compelled some of them to desert the community in droves.

Addressing newsmen on Thursday in Onitsha, a youth leader, Obinna Chigbata, said the attack began early in the year when the herdsmen insisted on grazing in their farmland despite a series of peaceful meetings with the herders.

Chigbata however regretted that security personnel were yet to intervene in the melee despite pre-informing them of destruction to farmlands, kidnapping, maiming, raping of our women and Sisters.

“As I am talking to you now my life, as the financier/sponsor of the meeting for peaceful settlement of the crisis and others is in great danger because they are looking for us to kill.

“There was a time I was in a friend’s car and as we were driving we did not know that they laid ambush and they fired at us, killing my friend who was driving the car on the spot, maybe they thought I was the one driving.

“Since we have become targets of the herdsmen for opposing grazing in our farmlands we have no alternative than to desert the community because the attack has even increased resulting in our people running away from their ancestorial home.

“Some have even suggested we employ the services of Eastern Security Network, ESN, of IPOB since the government security operatives are of no assistance to us as they have left us to die in the hands of the Fulani herdsmen with their bought over government security operatives,” he fumed.

When contacted, Police spokesperson, Tochukwu said the Command was yet to receive the information.

“The Command has not received such complaint. I will find out and get back to you,” he said.