Residents of a border community in Ebonyi State have been thrown into fear and uncertainty following a violent attack by suspected gunmen that led to the killing of about 30 cows.
The incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of Wednesday at Ataroga, an Izzi-speaking settlement located along the Ebonyi–Benue boundary.
Residents said they were jolted awake by sporadic gunshots, forcing many families to flee their homes and take refuge in nearby bushes.
The sudden violence, they noted, shattered a long-standing peaceful coexistence between locals and the herders.
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Speaking on the incident, the village head, Chief Nwedoga James, said panic spread rapidly after the attack, as residents feared further violence.
He explained that tensions escalated when the herders allegedly accused some villagers of masterminding the attack.
Following the accusations, police arrested seven community members, who were taken to Igumale and are currently being detained.
The arrests, however, have further heightened tension in the area.
Chief James also alleged that reprisal attacks followed, with reports of houses being vandalised and shops looted.
Some traders claimed their businesses were broken into at nearby markets, resulting in significant losses.
Despite appeals by local government officials for calm while investigations continue, residents say fear still grips the community, with many unable to return to their homes.
Community stakeholders have now called on the Ebonyi and Benue state governments, as well as security agencies, to intervene urgently to prevent further violence and restore peace.
As of the time of filing this report, security presence has been increased, but tension remains high amid fears of possible escalation.
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