From CHARLES ONYEKWERE
People of Eha-Amufu in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State have debunked the alleged report of mass rape, killings and arson in the community.
Indigenes and community leaders of Eha-Amufu, which is a border community between Ebonyi and Benue States, disclosed this to journalists yesterday.
The fact-finding mission emanated due to recent fake but viral videos of protest and counter-protest by groups of women over the alleged recent mass rape, mass killings and widespread arson in Eha-Amufu community.
Speaking, President-General of Mgbuji in Eha-Amufu, Chief Donatus Odoh, noted that the alleged protest last week on the supposed killing of 200 persons in Eha-Amufu recently as I saw in one video being circulated, none of that happened.
“Nothing happened here and there was no mass rape, killing or arson in Mgbuji, Eha-Amufu two weeks ago and till now,” Odoh said.
He said although there was a rape case in another autonomous community in Eha-Amufu and he was involved in arranging the victim’s medical treatment following government’s intervention, she did not die.
“The rape victim, Mrs Amarachi Nnaji, alleged in the fake video to be dead is alive. I saw the woman being driven on a bike returning from the market the other day. She is healthy,” Odoh emphasised.
Odoh, however, confirmed past mass attacks on the community by suspected herders before the coming of Governor Peter Mbah, especially in 2022 when it was sacked, leaving so many people dead.
Another community leader, Chief Richard Ogenyi, said but for isolated incidents, security has improved after the 2022 attack through the intervention of Governor Mbah and Isi-Uzo Council Chairman, Mr Obiora Obeagu.
“So, I am surprised to hear that many people were killed in Eha-Amufu. After the 2022 incident, we have not witnessed such a number of killings.
“Since Obeagu’s second term and Mbah’s administration, we have witnessed a lot of security improvement,” he said.
Meanwhile, the rape victim from Abor Eha-Amufu, while recounting her unfortunate experience in the hands of herders in her farm, noted that “the information that she was in the mortuary is false.”
Corroborating, the Isi-Uzo council chairman, while admitting the existence of security challenges, refuted the story and fake social media video of recent killings in Eha-Amufu community.
The chairman said Mbah’s administration had, since coming into office in 2023, continued to put in place physical security and infrastructural measures that ensured that what happened in 2022 does not repeat itself.
“These include the deployment of over 150 soldiers, deployment of Special Forces with Armoured Personnel Carriers, APCs, and gun trucks, ongoing collaboration between the state government and the Nigerian Army to construct a military barracks in that border community.
“Mbah has nearly completed the 21.7km Agape-Agu-Mgbuji-Ogbete Road in order to open up our farm settlements, enhance security and vehicular access to the farmlands and forests within Eha-Amufu and other neighbouring communities,” he said.
The council boss blamed bad politics, deliberate lies and misinformation for the fabricated and fake social media videos and all unfounded allegations made within the videos.
