No fewer than four persons have been reported dead following an attack by gunmen in Akpawfu community in the Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State.
According to reports, the gunmen are avenging the burning and demolition of houses of members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) from the community during a military invasion in December 2022, have permanently shut down schools – primary and secondary, markets and churches activities in the three autonomous communities in Akpawfu.
They were said to have identified some villagers to kill for allegedly providing information on ESN members in the community to the Nigerian security agencies.
A source told SaharaReporters that the gunmen sacked residents from their homes who are now refugees in the state capital and in the neighbouring communities.
One of the sources who spoke to SaharaReporters on condition of anonymity said that gunmen invaded the community on Sunday night, went straight and killed Chief Nnamuoke, the Cabinet Secretary of the traditional ruler of the Ajeme Akpawfu autonomous community, His Royal Highness, Igwe Christopher Nnamani and escaped when the local vigilantes confronted them in a gun battle.
According to the source, the hoodlums arrived Akpawfu through “back door and killed one Ikenga and follow from bush and runaway.
“Before our security men will reach the venue they are already gone. Akpawfu is one of their targets in Nkanu Land after Akpawfu they will move to other places.”
Another resident of Akpawfu community, who gave his name as Ekene Dilichukwu Nnamani, told SaharaReporters on Tuesday that the gunmen returned on Monday morning and shot one person at Agudene Akpawfu.
Lamenting the deplorable situation in the community, Nnamani said “Nobody as I speak to you is remaining in the community. People have deserted their homes for fear of being the next target. I have evacuated all my family members to Onitsha in Anambra state now.”
