Fear in Agwa community in Oguta Imo as herdsmen kill 5, abduct 3, take over farmlands

From George Onyejiuwa, Owerri

According to a dependable source, the Fulani herders, on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, invaded the oil-rich community, killed no fewer than five indigenes of the clan and wounded others. It was also gathered that the hoodlums, that same day, kidnapped at least three persons and the victims are still in their custody.

Fear has enveloped the Agwa community in Oguta council area of Imo State, following the killing of five people and the kidnapping of three members of the community by suspected Fulani herdsmen who also forcefully took over sections of their farmland on Wednesday.

The source said that the Fulani herders, who were heavily armed, had first started at Umuekpu town, in Mbano autonomous community, where they allegedly shot one young man dead and wounded others, including the elder brother of the man they had killed.

It was also gathered that the herdsmen killed four persons, including a young woman and Okada riders, along the Okwu Ogbaku road.

It could be recalled that about two weeks ago, the herdsmen launched a serious attack on Umuekpu and Obeakuma communities, where they shot a pregnant woman and others, who are still receiving treatment in hospital.

Another source from the community told Daily Sun in the past two years the people of Agwa have known no peace as a result of incessant attacks and kidnapping bherders. They were said to be kidnapping people along the major roads leading to the clan, particularly Amakohia Ubi-Agwa road, Obibi Ogbaku-Agwa road, Okwu Ogbaku-Agwa road and Ejemekwuru-Agwa road.

The source said, “The herdsmen, who have been raping our women in the bush, have always adopted different strategies during operations. Prominent among them is blocking the road with their cows so that any vehicle or motorcycle that gets to the point must slow down or park. This method makes it possible for them to kidnap, attack, rob and even rape females easily. They move around with dangerous weapons, including AK47 guns and machetes.”

He added that the herders had not only taken over farmlands but also destroyed crops on farms: “Our people no longer go to their farms for fear of being attacked or kidnapped by herders who move from one place to another, searching for the people.”

Daily Sun learnt that Fulani herdsmen have kidnapped more than 20 persons in the area since January this year, and they were released after payment of huge ransom.

The herders, who come out on a daily basis, particularly in the night, shooting sporadically to intimidate innocent people, allow their cows to destroy crops and other economic trees people planted in their compounds. This has sent shockwaves through the people of the community, with some residents fearing to live in their homes.

Similarly, another community source said, “These wicked people called Fulani herdsmen, attack, rob and kidnap our people every day. It’s not that we harass or intimidate them here. Our people don’t go to farm again because of them. They are everywhere in our farmlands. I, therefore, want to use this opportunity to call on the government of Imo State, under the watch of His Excellency, Senator Hope Odidika Uzodimma, and the security agencies in the state to come to our rescue. They shouldn’t wait for the time the youths of the clan and the herdsmen will clash, because it must happen if this continues. The youths cannot continue to tolerate this. The government and the security agencies should come and drive them out of Agwa and its neighborhood. That will be the only solution to the problem.”

The traditional ruler of Mbano Agwa autonomous community, HRH Eze Sylvester Onuegbu, condemned the action of the herdsmen in strong terms. He expressed regrets over the activities of the herders in the area, as he disclosed that the herdsmen had killed many innocent people in the community since they came to the place.

The traditional ruler equally said farmers in the community no longer go to their farms because of herdsmen, who attack and kidnap his people regularly, adding that it has subjected them to serious hardship and hunger.

The Eze said, “We have reported the matter to the appropriate quarters, including the state and local governments, the police, the DSS, and other security agencies in the state. We have also written to the leadership of the Hausa community in the state and informed them of the wicked actions of their brothers in the area.”

He said that after that action some months ago, the herdsmen left the place and wondered why they returned to the area to wreck more havoc.

The monarch also drew the attention of the government and security agencies to the latest developments. He wondered why the Fulani herdsmen should be molesting, robbing and attacking them in their fatherland, and called for quick intervention by government and other authorities before it gets out of control.

Also, the national leadership of Agwa Central Union (ACU), which condemned the incessant attacks and kidnapping of Agwa people by Fulani herders, said that they should not only stop the wicked act but also leave Agwaland immediately.

The ACU, in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday, equally called on the government of Imo State, led by Senator Uzodimma, the executive chairman of Oguta Local government, Hon. Ifeanyi Nnani, the Nigerian Army, the DSS, the police, other security agencies and relevant authorities to intervene in the matter by driving the killer herdsmen out of Agwa.

However, the spokesman for the Imo State Police Command, DSP Henry Okoye, said, following the June 4 incident in Agwa, CP Aboki Danjuma has activated tactical teams and launched precision operations, including forest combing, to arrest the perpetrators. He assured residents that security had been fortified, and investigations were in full swing.