Tears flowed freely late Thursday following the brutal killing of a female student of St Paul’s College, Eke, in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State. The student was shot dead by kidnappers suspected to be Fulani herdsmen. Several other students were also hit by bullets and are currently fighting for their lives in a undisclosed hospital.
In a gruesome video that emerged after the attack, the lifeless body of the victim and some of the survivors were shown. A voice in the video narrated the horrifying incident, stating that Fulani herdsmen attacked the students as they were making their way home from school. One student was shot dead on the spot, while four others sustained gunshot wounds. The situation in the area has left the community in distress, with one resident calling it a death zone.
The Principal of the Catholic Church-owned school, Rev. Fr. Frank, confirmed the attack, expressing deep sadness over the loss of the young girl. He revealed that the gunmen opened fire on the bus as the students were leaving school. The security agencies have been made aware of the ongoing kidnappings and attacks in the area, but have yet to effectively address the situation.
According to a community leader, the area has been a den of kidnappers for years, with security agencies seemingly unable to put an end to the activities of these criminals. Victims of kidnapping in the Udi and Ezeagu areas are often held captive until a ransom is paid, and those who are unable to meet the demands are tragically killed after a few days.
The forest known as ‘Ofia-akwu’ has become a notorious hotbed for the Fulani herdsmen involved in these criminal activities. It spans about 15 kilometers and has claimed numerous lives in the past. The frustration among residents is palpable, as they question why the security agencies have been unable to eliminate this threat despite their prolonged presence.
Efforts to obtain a reaction from the Enugu State Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, were met with a request to send a text message, which had yet to receive a response at the time of filing this report.
The attack on the female student and the ongoing insecurity in Enugu State highlights the urgent need for improved security measures to protect innocent lives. It is a grim reminder of the persistent threat posed by kidnappers and Fulani herdsmen in the region. The government must prioritize the safety of its citizens and take decisive action to bring an end to these criminal activities. The affected communities are crying out for help, and it is crucial that their voices are heard and their pleas answered.
