According to the Channels television news at 10: 00pm of March 31, 2021 and Tribune, many residents of Ebonyi State were killed on March 31, 2021, while many others sustained various degrees of injuries on Monday night of March 30, 2021, when suspected herdsmen invaded three communities in Íshíelu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The suspected herdsmen who attacked Egedege, Obegu and Amazu communities also looted some properties in the area.
A resident of the community who craved anonymity told newsmen that 18 persons were killed by the attackers including a priest of the Methodist Church whose car was burnt to ashes.
“Herdsmen attack our communities. We are mourning. We are in serious mourning since the late hours of Monday. Herdsmen invaded our communities and massacred our people. As we speak, 18 persons were slaughtered like animals. They macheted many of our people, burnt vehicles, motorcycles and looted our properties,” the resident told newsmen.
Chairman of Ishielu Local Government Area of the State, Hon. Sunday Eze and the Commissioner for Business Development in the State, Dr Stephen Odo, who hails from the local government, led a team of security agents to the communities on Tuesday and condoled the families of those killed in the invasion.
They assured that government would take proactive measures to investigate the invasion.
When contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PRO) DSP Loveth Odah, confirmed the death of six persons.
“The Commissioner of Police delegated a team of policemen for on-the-spot assessment because of peace talks going on in the town. So, the Commissioner of Police delegated them. Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations and others went for an on-the-spot assessment to enable us to get the detail of the report. So, they are yet to come back.
“We are still waiting for our men to come back to tell us their findings. I am already preparing a press release on the incident but their report will assist us in giving you detailed information about it,” Odah said.
Meanwhile, governor Dave Umahi who visited the scene has condemned the bloody attack and promised to bring the perpetrators to book.