Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Tension has gripped the Onolieze community in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State following the killing of a local farmer, identified by residents as Mr. Ogechukwu Mba, and allegations that soldiers deployed to the area assaulted villagers who staged protests over the incident. The development has heightened fears across surrounding settlements and renewed concerns over recurring violence between farming communities and suspected armed herdsmen in Nigeria’s southeast.
Community leaders in Onolieze, located within the Ugwuleshi autonomous community in Awgu LGA, said the farmer was shot dead on February 20 while working on his farmland in the Onoli axis of the agrarian settlement. The area is predominantly agricultural, with subsistence and small-scale commercial farming forming the backbone of the local economy. Residents described the killing as part of a series of violent incidents they attribute to suspected Fulani herdsmen operating in the forests and farmlands surrounding the community.
In a statement signed by Malachi Onyia on behalf of the Concerned Stakeholders of Onolieze Community, the group alleged that repeated armed incursions have transformed what was once a peaceful rural environment into what they termed a “theatre of unprovoked violence.” The statement asserted that the community has endured sustained attacks resulting in deaths, displacement and destruction of property over an extended period.
According to the stakeholders, Mr. Mba was tending his crops when he was shot. They described him as a committed member of the community and a productive farmer whose death has sent shockwaves through neighbouring villages. The group maintained that the insecurity has severely disrupted farming activities, forcing many residents to abandon their lands out of fear. With the planting season underway in many parts of Enugu State, the disruption threatens food security and livelihoods in the area.
Community members said tensions escalated over the weekend when youths and residents organised what they described as a peaceful protest to demand improved security and urgent government intervention. Protesters reportedly marched within the community, calling for protection from further attacks and accountability for the killing.
However, several residents alleged that soldiers deployed to Awgu Local Government Area responded by dispersing demonstrators and intimidating youths rather than pursuing the suspected attackers. According to local sources, military personnel accused some protesting youths of affiliation with the Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network. Residents claim that such accusations heightened tensions and deepened mistrust between the community and security operatives.
As of press time, there was no official confirmation from the Nigerian Army regarding the allegations of assault or intimidation. Efforts to obtain a response from military authorities were ongoing. The Enugu State Police Command, through its spokesperson SP Daniel Ndukwe, stated that he was not aware of the reported killing when contacted, indicating that details may still be under verification by law enforcement authorities.
The events in Onolieze reflect a broader pattern of clashes between farming communities and suspected armed herdsmen that have affected multiple regions of Nigeria in recent years. While much of the violence has been concentrated in the Middle Belt states, southern states including Enugu have also recorded incidents involving land disputes, cattle grazing routes and retaliatory attacks. These confrontations often exacerbate ethnic and communal tensions, particularly in agrarian communities where land is both an economic asset and a cultural inheritance.
Security analysts note that Enugu State has experienced sporadic security incidents linked not only to herdsmen-farmer conflicts but also to separatist-related unrest and criminal activity. Awgu Local Government Area, largely rural and forested in parts, presents terrain that can complicate surveillance and rapid response by security agencies. Community leaders argue that these vulnerabilities have left residents exposed to armed groups who exploit isolated farmlands and limited security presence.
In their statement, the Onolieze stakeholders called on the Enugu State Government and the Federal Government of Nigeria to urgently intervene. They demanded immediate tactical deployment of security personnel to affected areas, improved intelligence collaboration between security agencies and local communities, and the establishment of either a mini army barracks or a fully operational police division within the Onolieze axis. The group also emphasised the need for measures that would restore confidence among displaced farmers and enable them to safely return to their fields.
Residents reported that fear has spread beyond Onolieze to neighbouring villages, with some families allegedly fleeing their homes temporarily. Community elders expressed concern that continued insecurity could trigger long-term displacement, undermine agricultural output and strain social cohesion in Awgu.
Local civil society observers have urged authorities to conduct a transparent investigation into the killing of Mr. Mba and into the allegations against security personnel. They argue that credible fact-finding is essential to prevent misinformation, retaliatory violence and further deterioration of trust between citizens and state institutions. They also stress that while security forces face complex operational challenges, the protection of civilians remains a constitutional obligation.
Enugu State authorities have, in previous instances of rural violence, pledged to strengthen collaboration between local vigilante groups and formal security agencies. Whether similar steps will be taken in response to the Onolieze incident remains to be seen. The state government had not issued a formal statement on the matter at the time of this report.
For now, the hills and farmlands of Awgu remain tense. Residents say they are mourning a neighbour while grappling with uncertainty about their safety and livelihoods. As calls intensify for decisive action, the coming days will test the responsiveness of state and federal authorities to the security anxieties of rural communities in southeastern Nigeria.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments