Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
ENUGU, Nigeria — Violence linked to unidentified gunmen has again cast a shadow over Enugu State, underscoring lingering insecurity and renewed fears among residents of the South‑East region. Recent developments reveal that a key police outpost in the state capital remains abandoned due to previous sustained attacks, while sporadic gun violence continues to unsettle communities.
On Thursday, reports emerged that the Nigeria Police abandoned the Ikiriki Police Station in Enugu South Local Government Area, leaving the facility deserted since 2021 after repeated assaults by suspected gunmen. The station’s personnel were forced to withdraw and merge operations with the Uwani Police Division after a series of violent attacks that resulted in the deaths of officers and the looting of weapons from the station’s armoury.
A visit to the site by journalists revealed overgrown vegetation, damaged fencing and a facility left to decay, heightening concerns about the security vacuum in one of the city’s key districts. Local residents expressed deep unease about the absence of visible law enforcement, saying the withdrawal has weakened deterrence against criminal elements and enabled fear to persist in communities once served by the outpost.
The abandonment of Ikiriki station reflects a broader pattern of insecurity in Enugu and the wider South‑East, where scores of violent incidents attributed to “unknown gunmen” have raised alarm among civil society groups and human rights advocates. Amnesty International has documented waves of unlawful killings, enforced disappearances and attacks across the region in recent years, warning that such violence has created “a climate of fear” and left communities vulnerable to arbitrary violence.
Although relative improvements in security have been reported in parts of Enugu in recent months, the derelict police post has remained unoccupied, prompting residents to question why the facility has not been reactivated amid ongoing concerns about crime and armed attacks. Attempts to obtain an official explanation from the Enugu State Police Command have been unsuccessful, with police spokespersons yet to respond to repeated requests for clarification.
The resurgence of attention on “unknown gunmen” follows a string of high‑profile violent incidents in the state in previous years. In September 2025, grief swept through the region after Rev. Fr. Matthew Eya, a Catholic priest in the Nsukka area of Enugu State, was assassinated by unidentified gunmen while returning to his parish, a killing that drew condemnation from government and church leaders alike.
In response to that incident, the state government had offered a ₦10 million reward for credible information leading to the arrest of those responsible, emphasising its commitment to tracking down perpetrators and strengthening security.
Local and international rights organisations have noted that violence attributed to unknown gunmen and other armed groups has contributed to broader instability across the South‑East. Between January 2021 and mid‑2023, Amnesty International cites that more than 1,800 people, including community leaders, were killed in attacks carried out by a mix of unidentified gunmen, militants and other non‑state actors across the region.
The situation has also raised broader security concerns, including incidents where suspected armed elements attacked police patrols and other targets. Late last year, two police operatives were killed and their patrol vehicle burned in an attack by suspected militants believed to be linked to armed groups active in the region, highlighting the ongoing threat to law enforcement and public safety.
Residents and community leaders have expressed frustration with what they perceive as uneven gains in security, urging authorities to restore law enforcement presence in affected neighbourhoods, reoccupy key strategic outposts like the abandoned Ikiriki station, and pursue more robust intelligence‑led operations to stem the tide of armed violence.
Security analysts say addressing the challenge in Enugu and the broader South‑East will require a multi‑layered strategy that includes enhanced police presence, community policing initiatives, deeper intelligence cooperation and concerted efforts to dismantle criminal cells that operate with impunity across the region. With Enugu’s economy and social life still recovering from the disruptions of past years, residents warn that unless sustained preventive measures are taken, sporadic outbreaks of gun violence could further undermine confidence and public order.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments