Ebonyi killings executed by community criminals, not herdsmen — Governor Nwifuru

Contrary to the belief, Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru, has stated that the gruesome killings on Sunday, February 2, 2025, at Amagu Nkalaha in Ishielu Local Government Area was not executed by Fulani herdsmen.

According to him, the killing was carried out by criminal elements within the community.

There were reports that suspected herdsmen attacked the village killing several residents and setting houses ablaze.

The assault, according to the locals, was believed to be a reprisal following the reported killing of cattle belonging to herdsmen in the area.

Confirming the attack, a native of the area, Prof. Ndubuisi Idenyi, said the assailants stormed the village in the wee hours of Sunday, unleashing violence that left many dead and property worth billions of naira destroyed.

“I don’t have the number of casualties right now. We are still tracking and bringing out the dead bodies especially those killed in the farms”, he said.

But speaking after a church service at the Government House Chapel, yesterday (Sunday), the governor said preliminary investigations by security agencies revealed that the attacks were perpetrated by local hoodlums.

“The recent killings at Amegu Nkalaha Community were carried out by some criminal elements from within the community, not herdsmen as earlier alleged,” Governor Nwifuru stated. “This is an unfortunate situation.”

Governor Nwifuru also announced the recall of four commissioners and the Executive Secretary of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, who were suspended in November last year.

The governor issued a stern warning to contractors handling government projects, urging them to expedite project execution or face government sanctions.