A protest by women in Eha-Amufu, Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State, escalated into violence on Tuesday when joint forces from the Nigeria Army and the police intervened, resulting in at least three protesters sustaining injuries.
The unrest began after the women detained a community member, Israel Mgborogwu, accusing him of “trading information about the farmers to suspected herdsmen.”
They further claimed that Mgborogwu had posted on social media that herdsmen did not attack the community, a statement they vehemently disputed.
In video footage obtained by DAILY GAZETTE correspondent on Tuesday, the protesters were seen parading Mgborogwu along major streets.
The demonstrators leveled serious accusations against him and the acting President General of Mgbuji Autonomous Community, Donatus Odoh, alleging that the pair were involved in selling Eha-Amufu land to unidentified buyers and passing on information to herdsmen about farmers who became victims of attacks.
One of the women asserted, “He gave information about farmers to herdsmen on whoever went to farm who fell victim of the killing.”
Reports indicate that the President General of the community, Odo Donatus, managed to evade capture by the aggrieved protesters.
However, the situation took a violent turn when security agencies, including soldiers, police, and personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, were deployed by the government to secure the release of Israel Mgborogwu.
Confrontations ensued, and the security forces resorted to teargas to disperse the demonstrators.
“In the chaotic scene, the policemen and soldiers who rolled armoured tanks during the protest injured several women with three badly battered,” Mrs Janet Ogenyi told our correspondent over the phone.
This incident underscores the mounting tensions in the Eha-Amufu community, a locale that has long grappled with insecurity and sporadic violence.
While some locals claim that the area is besieged by high levels of insecurity, others argue that such narratives are exaggerated.
Attempts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer in Enugu State, SP Daniel Ndukwe, as well as Lt.-Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, the acting Deputy Director of 82 Division Army Public Relations, went unanswered at the time of this report.
