Tension has engulfed Ezimo community in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State—home to the state’s Deputy Governor, Ifeanyi Ossai—after armed kidnappers launched violent attacks over the weekend, shooting several women and abducting multiple residents in separate incidents.
The coordinated assaults, which occurred on Saturday and Sunday, also spread to neighbouring Obollo-Eke, where residents returning from a marriage ceremony were ambushed and taken hostage.
SaharaReporters learnt that Saturday’s attack on Ezimo took place just metres away from a military checkpoint along the Ikem–Obollo-Afor federal road. Despite the close presence of security personnel, witnesses said the gunmen operated freely for hours, shooting at vehicles, wounding travellers, and abducting victims before retreating through bush paths toward the Benue border.
Videos obtained by SaharaReporters show injured women being rushed to the hospital on stretchers, alongside vehicles riddled with bullets—evidence of the intensity of the assault.
Marcel Ossia, a resident, described the repeated attacks as “a daily nightmare” that has failed to draw significant government or media attention.
“Women returning from a marriage ceremony were attacked in the evening. Some escaped with gunshot wounds, but about seven were abducted,” he said.
“These criminals operated unchallenged, even though the incident happened just two poles away from a military checkpoint near a cashew bush. They took their victims and crossed into Benue State.”
He added that the gunmen returned on Sunday, this time targeting Obollo-Eke and abducting more residents in another brazen operation.
By Monday morning, scores of Ezimo women took to the streets in a peaceful march to the residence of the Deputy Governor, demanding urgent government intervention over what they described as relentless and escalating attacks.
Holding placards and chanting in anguish, the women expressed fear and frustration, saying that their communities—particularly women travelling for social engagements—had become easy targets for kidnappers.
“Our Ezimo women have gathered peacefully in front of the Deputy Governor’s residence to express their deep pain and frustration,” a resident reported in a message shared with SaharaReporters.
“Ezimo people are no longer safe. With recent kidnappings, shootings, and the fear that has overtaken our villages, the women are demanding urgent government intervention.”
He emphasized that the demonstration was not hostile but a desperate call for protection.
“This is a cry for help, a call for protection, and a reminder that our communities cannot continue to live in fear,” he added.
Efforts to obtain comments from the Chairman of Udenu Local Government Area, Mr Aka Eze Aka, were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls or text messages seeking his reaction to the worsening insecurity.
Similarly, the Enugu State Government has yet to issue any statement regarding the series of attacks that have claimed lives across Udenu communities.
As of the time of filing this report, the Enugu State Police Command had not released an official response, and its spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, did not answer multiple calls.
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