Herdsmen kill five, kidnap three, injure many in Imo community

Imo map

Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen have launched a horrific attack on the Agwa community in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State and killed no fewer than five persons.Our correspondent gathered that many locals sustained gunshot injuries, while the herders kidnapped three persons in the Wednesday attack.

A source in the community who pleaded anonymity said the herders, who were armed with sophisticated weapons, stormed the community and shot on sight.

This is the third attack on the community in two weeks.

The herdsmen reportedly shot sporadically in the two previous attacks, leaving a pregnant woman, and others with serious bullet wounds.

The source noted that Agwa community has been at the mercy of the herdsmen in the past two years, with incessant attacks, resulting in killings, kidnappings and rape.

According to the source, the community had lodged several reports to security agencies concerning the attacks, but all to no avail.

“They have taken over our farmlands, destroyed our crops. More than 20 persons have been kidnapped by these herdsmen since January this year, and they were released after payment of huge amount of money as ransom.

“Yesterday, they came again and shot at everyone at sight. Five persons were killed, they kidnapped three persons and many of our people sustained serious injuries”, he submitted. Vanguard