A 28-year-old man, Ezechi Ekenechukwu, has been killed while several others sustained injuries after suspected herdsmen attacked Ukpata community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The attack reportedly occurred on Friday, October 29, 2026, when heavily armed assailants invaded the community and unleashed violence on residents.
Ekenechukwu, who was described as the breadwinner of his family, was reportedly shot dead during the assault. Several other victims sustained varying degrees of injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment.
As of Monday morning, no arrests had been reported, while residents expressed fears of further attacks following alleged threats against the community.
A human rights lawyer, Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Monday, describing the attack as a horrific assault on the people of Ukpata.
He expressed sadness over the killing of the young man, noting that his death had left his family devastated.
Ejiofor also condemned the failure to arrest those responsible for the attack despite the reported casualties and growing concerns among residents.
The lawyer criticised the state government’s attention to political activities while rural communities continued to face security threats.
He called on Governor Peter Mbah to suspend his campaign activities and visit the affected community to assess the situation and reassure residents of the government’s commitment to their safety.
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Ejiofor further warned that the continued presence of armed men in the forests and farmlands of Uzo-Uwani could encourage more attacks if decisive action was not taken.
While commending Enugu forest guards for their efforts under difficult conditions, he urged the government to provide them with better operational equipment and strengthen intelligence-driven security operations.
He also appealed for urgent government intervention, insisting that the people of Ukpata should not be abandoned to persistent violence.
Meanwhile, efforts to obtain comments from the Enugu State Police Command were unsuccessful, as its spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, reportedly failed to answer calls or respond to a text message seeking clarification on the incident.
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