Barely 15 months after the invasion of Ukpabi Nimbo community in Uzo-Uwani local government area of Enugu state by herdsmen leading to the death of scores of people, another community in the local government area was at the weekend apprehensive over another attack allegedly plotted by the killer herdsmen.
Just as the plot was rife at Adani community in Uzo-Uwani over an alleged attack and counter attack between the natives and herdsmen.
It was gathered that during the incident which reportedly occurred at Adani forest there was a shootout between the two groups resulting in injuring of some persons and killing of some cows.
The youths of the community were alleged to have shared the meat.
Trouble was said to have broken out when some of the natives got to their farm and saw cattle grazing in their farms.
The natives reportedly told the herdsmen to leave their farmland but the herdsmen refused to leave and continued grazing their cattle. the farm.
Angered by the herdsmen’s refusal to quit the area, the natives allegedly mobilized themselves and forcefully evicted the herdsmen from their farmlands.
In the process, a bloody fight broke out between the natives and the herdsmen.
It was gathered that during the fight, firearms and other dangerous weapons were freely used.
The natives reportedly overpowered the herdsmen and drove them out of the farm.
Last year, suspected herdsmen attacked Nimbo community in Uzo-Uwani, leaving about several persons dead and many others injured.
Several houses including church buildings were also razed down by the rampaging herdsmen during the attack.
Confirming the latest incident at Adani, Superintendent Ebere Amaraizu, the spokesman of Enugu State Police Command said the police
was collaborating with sister security agencies to ensure that there
was no break-down of law and order in the town.
Amaraizu said the police would ensure it sustain the peace in the area as it would not tolerate any act of lawlessness in the area.
He debunked the rumours that Adani was deserted due to alleged attack on herdsmen’s cow at Adani Forest by some group of persons.
According to him, the incident revolves around some set of alleged
“mischief makers of the community who shot and killed some cow and
shared their meat inside the forest after allegedly injuring a
pastoralist who is now responding to treatment at Our Lady Health of
the Sick Hospital Adani.”
