Tension has gripped the Amakohia-Ubi community in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State following a deadly attack by suspected armed herders, which left a local vigilante leader dead and others either wounded or missing.
The attack reportedly occurred around 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 20, throwing the entire community into chaos. Residents fled their homes in fear as gunshots rang out, forcing many families to take refuge in nearby villages.
According to eyewitnesses, the armed herders stormed the area in large numbers and opened fire during a clash with members of the local vigilante group, who were trying to resist their incursion.
One of the villagers, who identified himself simply as Mr Paul, said that the leader of the vigilante group, Monday Nwaozuzu, popularly known as Ojo Ola, was shot and killed during the confrontation.
“The dead, wounded, and missing persons are all members of our community vigilante group,” Paul said. “Monday Nwaozuzu was killed by the herdsmen, while others are still missing or wounded. At least three vigilante members were involved in the clash.”
Local reports suggest that some vigilante members may have been abducted or chased into nearby bushes, and their whereabouts remain unknown as of the time of filing this report.
Following the attack, residents of Amakohia-Ubi began leaving the area in droves. Eyewitnesses said many people ran on foot while others packed their belongings and moved to neighbouring communities such as Irete, Orogwe, and Avu in search of safety.
A community elder, who did not want his name in print, described the attack as shocking and unprovoked. “We don’t know why they came here. We are farmers and traders. Now people are scared to even step out of their houses,” he said.
Shops, schools, and markets in the area have been shut down as fear of further attacks grows.
When contacted, the Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, confirmed that security operatives had been deployed to the community and investigations were ongoing.
He said the police were working closely with local security outfits and traditional rulers to restore calm and uncover those behind the attack.
“So far, we can confirm that one person died in the attack. No arrests have been made, but we are actively investigating and will update the public as we make progress,” Okoye said.
Community leaders and youth groups in Amakohia-Ubi are calling on the Imo State Government and the Federal Government to urgently intervene before the situation escalates.
They are also urging security agencies to increase patrols in rural areas, especially those close to forests and farmlands, where herdsmen are known to operate.
“We feel abandoned,” said a local youth leader. “We are calling on Governor Hope Uzodinma to act fast. Our people can’t go to their farms. Our women and children are scared. This is a serious threat to peace in our community.”
Incidents involving suspected armed herders have been on the rise across several states in Nigeria, including Benue, Plateau, Enugu, and now Imo. The clashes often revolve around land disputes, cattle grazing, and attacks on farming communities.
Although the federal government launched the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) to address these tensions, implementation has been slow, and rural communities continue to suffer deadly attacks.
In the South-East, communities have increasingly formed local vigilante groups to protect themselves. However, these groups are often poorly equipped compared to their attackers.
As residents of Amakohia-Ubi mourn the death of their vigilante leader and search for the missing members, the atmosphere remains tense. Fear of further attacks is high, and many are unwilling to return to their homes until they feel safe.
The Imo State government is yet to release an official statement on the incident, but pressure is mounting from civil society and human rights groups for urgent action to prevent more violence.
