Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

News

Army Arrests Youths in Enugu Communities Over Expulsion of Herdsmen, Cattle

Nigerian Army personnels have invaded and arrested youths in two communities in the Nkanu East and Nkanu West local government areas of Enugu State for allegedly attacking and sending away herdsmen and their cows from the areas.

Villagers who spoke from their hiding on Thursday lamented that they could not find some of their relations and wards who were believed to have been “abducted” by the military personnel.

They feared that the continuous arrest might not be unconnected with the recent sacking of herdsmen who were terrorising the area.

Some also believed that the invasion could be the directive of the Presidency to security agencies to hunt down Biafran agitators in the South-East region.

Community sources said the soldiers invaded Ekpoffo on Wednesday and whisked away some youths to unknown destinations.

A source said, “Soldiers numbering over 100 stormed Ekpoffo community in Nkanu East around 7.30pm on Wednesday. They moved from place to place, ransacking houses. Before then, they had blocked major roads leading to the community before swooping on the residents.

“I don’t know how many people were abducted yesterday (Wednesday). They were looking for our youths, but many of them had run away.”

The source also noted that the soldiers returned on Thursday with policemen and personnel of the Department of State Services and blocked all access roads leading to the community.

Another community source said the soldiers also invaded Ndiagu- Akpugo community and razed some houses.

“They went to the house belonging to a man popularly known as Bebia at Ugwu-agba in Ndiagu-Akpugo. They didn’t see anyone, so the soldiers set the house ablaze.

“As I am speaking to you, our young men have run away and some members of the community are relocating to the state capital for fear for their lives,” he added.

The traditional ruler of Adamagu Akpawfu community, Igwe Christopher Nnamani, who resides in the Enugu metropolis, said he received several phone calls from his subjects informing him of the invasion.

“I am on my way to my palace; come there so I can see who I am speaking with. I won’t like to speak with someone I have not seen on the telephone,” he said.

The Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division, Enugu, Col. Abubakar Abdullahi, declined comment when contacted on the incident.

____

Follow us on Twitter at @thesignalng

Copyright 2021 SIGNAL. Permission to use portions of this article is granted provided appropriate credits are given to www.signalng.com and other relevant sources.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement

Related

News

The Military High Command, on Thursday, disclosed that no fewer than 3 officers, 22 soldiers were killed in Niger State while 7 were wounded...

News

Former Governor of Enugu state, Chimaroke Nnamani, says Asiwaju Bola Tinubu remains the most successful Governor amongst the class of 1999–2007 set, Daily Trust...

News

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has said that major onslaught against terrorists by troops in the frontline have led to the death of no fewer...

News

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Senator Ali Ndume, has reiterated calls for increased funding for the army. The Senator made the call on...

Copyright ©