FEAR of certainty is now engulfing Neke community and its environs in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State over reports of invasion of the area by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
Reports from the area said that the herdsmen, who stormed the border communities with sophisticated weapons, continued sporadic shootings from Monday night up till Tuesday, throwing the people of the community into panic and anxiety with residents reportedly fleeing the area.
A native of Neke community, Chidi Odoh, who confirmed the shootings to newsmen, said it started since Monday night at Ndiagu Umuegwu, an area between Neke and Obollo communities.
“I even heard the gunshots not more than five minutes ago. They have been shooting there since last night but our people have mobilized to go there,” Odoh said.
The Security Adviser to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, General Fred Eze (rtd) however, said the situation was not as bad, based on the interim report he received.
Eze said it maybe herdsmen moving from the North to Ebonyi State, adding that he has mobilized both the army and the divisional police office at Ikem to the scene.
According to him, “Based on the interim report before me, there is no cause for alarm and security operatives have been dispatched to the area. I even spoke with the leader of heardmen in Isi-Uzo who told me he directed the herdsmen to leave Neke.
“I am also aware that Neke community has not had issues with herdsmen earlier than now and so the situation is being monitored.”
Also, the Caretaker committee Vice Chairman of Isi-Uzo local government, Samuel Ugwede said they were moving with security personnel to the area.
Further checks showed that the herdsmen who were reportedly possessing dangerous weapons took over farms in the community, destroying crops.
The development is coming few days after residents of Ndiagu-Umunafor, Mburubu, in Nkanu-East Council Area of the State, raised the alarm that the movement of armed herdsmen in their community was giving them discomfort.