Fulani Kidnappers kill a catechist and kidnapp two others in a new wave of terrorism in Ikem, Isiuzo Local Government of Enugu State.
By Israel Okah
Death came in a most unexpected and cruel way and place for Chinaza Odumejeogu, catechist of of All Saints Anglican Church Onicha-Ebia Ikem, Isiuzo Local Government Area, Enugu State, on Monday, April 8. When he was in service on Sunday, April 7, he never knew it would be his last, nor did his congregation knew he will not be standing at the alter next Sunday.
Early Monday morning, according a neighbour, he left for his farm a few kilometres from his Ebia Village with his two children who were on holidays. As they were working, seven men suddenly emerged from the surrounding bush.
According his children, he sensed trouble and told them to run as the marauders drew near. They ran for their lives.
The Kidnappers shot at the two boys and a bullet grazed the feet of one of them. But they did not stop running until they reached the Ukwu Mango Junction where they raised alarm and drew the attention of Neighbourhood Watch, a local vigilante group working with the Police and Military.
As the boys made good their escape, the Kidnappers, identified as Fulanis, took Odumejeogu. He was later picked up dead in a pool of his blood in a bush path towards Benue State by a combined team of the police, the army and the local vigilantes.
On their way the kidnappers successfully abducted two other victims, John Ede and his daughter at Umueje, another community in Ikem-Etiti in their farm.
There appears to be a clear pattern to the terrorism. On Sunday night, the bandits abducted Benedicta Abonyi at her home in Ikem-Uno, behind Ikem General Hospital but she luckily escaped.
In a private hospital where she is receiving treatment for serious injuries inflicted on her, Benedicta narrated her harrowing experience. She was in their compound Sunday night and suddenly, three men emerged from the shadows towards her. As she wanted to run, another four emerged from the shadows, making seven.
She started screaming “Okorobia ososo” ( Youths help!), a local parlance to rally assistance in times of emergency. As she was screaming, she said they were using hands to cover her mouth and dragging her into the bush. But she kept screaming.
” I was shouting Jesus and calling on Alu Ikem (Ikem Land) to save me! Then suddenly, they left me and went away. I ran back to my house, locked the door and ran to the Junction to alert security.”
She clearly identified her assailants as Fulanis.
According a local vigilante, “a young girl’s motorcycle was snatched from her, she was the one that told us the kidnappers were four in number. She was the one that told us the road they followed and that was how we recovered the corpse of the catechist. But the woman who escaped from them Sunday night said they were seven in number. She is the one who identified them as Fulanis.
“The woman escaped because they were shooting and we were returning with our own shooting, so the kidnappers thought we were closing in on them and they released the woman. and ran away.”
The Enugu State Police Command has not reacted to the incident. Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe, has not responded to a message sent to him via his mobile phone for reaction.
Until this new wave, the Ikem axis has been under control since military check point was established at Isioroto and lately an Army barracks in Ikem Nkwo. Army check points are also in place at neighbouring Eha-Amufu following the massacre by Fulani militia last year.
Governor Peter Mba is treating security as one of his priorities as a basis for his policy to create an enabling environment for a private sector driven economy. He also wants to establish a “Produce City” in Isiuzo, alienating land from both Ikem and Eha-Amufu. This, despite the benefits, is being resisted by the people because of the fear it will attract Fulani herdsmen. This incident may further reinforce the fear of the natives against the project.
