According to community sources, the tragic incident occurred on Tuesday, when Odoh was killed close to his farm.
Terror descended upon the Agu-Amede autonomous community in Eha-Amufu, Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State, when individuals suspected to be herdsmen killed a farmer named Francis Odoh.
According to community sources, the tragic incident occurred on Tuesday, when Odoh was killed close to his farm.
This latest assault has reignited fear and apprehension in the troubled community, which has faced numerous attacks in the past.
A video of the aftermath of incident seen by SaharaReporters on Thursday shows residents crying uncontrollably at the house of the deceased.
A prominent member of the community, Chief Ogenyi Odo, who spoke to SaharaReporters on Thursday, said “The man went to his farm on Tuesday morning but he didn’t return home. So, the wife raised an alarm in the evening and a search party was immediately formed.
“Unfortunately, his lifeless body was found on Wednesday morning close to his farmland, not far from where Fulani herdsmen have forcefully occupied. We suspect that the Fulani herdsmen were behind his gruesome murder.
“So many lives have been lost to herdsmen attacks in our community – Agu-Amede autonomous community and other neighbouring communities – in their quest drive us out of our communities and occupy our land.”
Meanwhile, efforts made by SaharaReporters to speak with the Enugu State Police Command were unsuccessful as its spokesperson DSP Daniel Ndukwe did answer his calls.
As at the time of filing this report, he had yet to reply to a message sent to his mobile line.
On Tuesday, January 23, 2024, Agu-Amede came under attack as armed men suspected to herdsmen invaded Imamamaru village.
The assailants killed two villagers and injured several others.
The bandits also burnt about four houses.
SaharaReporters gathered that the incident occurred three days earlier, following a similar attack at Isiado village which left two people dead.
The attacks in Isiado and Imamamaru villages forced residents to flee their homes.