Grief in Enugu as Herdsmen Kill Varsity Student, Leaving Widowed Mother Devastated

The people of Amofia Umuhu, Eha-Amufu, in Enugu State have been thrown into mourning following the burial of 29-year-old Donatus Ndubuisi, a student of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), who was brutally killed by suspected Fulani herdsmen. His tragic death has added to the growing wave of violence that has plagued the region in recent years.

Ndubuisi, the only child and sole source of hope for his widowed mother, was shot dead on February 28, 2025, while assisting her on their farm. His father had previously been killed in a similar attack, making this a devastating repeat of tragedy for his grieving mother.

Family sources revealed that Ndubuisi had traveled home from Enugu, where he was studying and working as a solar energy technician, to check on his mother. Upon arriving, he discovered that she had gone to the farm and decided to join her in harvesting cassava.

It was during this task that they were ambushed by gunmen believed to be Fulani herdsmen. As he attempted to escape, Ndubuisi was shot in the back and died on the spot.

His death has further heightened tensions in Eha-Amufu, a community that has faced continuous attacks since 2021. Many residents fear that the security situation is worsening, with no concrete efforts from the government to curb the violence.

A local leader, Samuel Ede, condemned the killing, describing it as another senseless act of bloodshed that has devastated families in the region. He lamented that Ndubuisi was a hardworking young man trying to make a better life for himself and his mother, only to be murdered in cold blood.

“This young man was full of promise. He was studying in Enugu and also working as a solar technician to support himself. He went home to see his mother, only to be killed in the same brutal way his father was. Now, his mother has lost her only child. This is heartbreaking,” Ede said.

In response to the killing, thousands of women from seven autonomous communities in Eha-Amufu staged a mass protest last Thursday, denouncing the unending violence and demanding justice. The demonstrators carried placards condemning the gruesome murder of their loved ones and the rape of women in the area. They called on the government to take immediate action to address the security crisis.

The protest coincided with Ndubuisi’s burial over the weekend, where mourners gathered to pay their final respects. Many wept as they bid farewell to a young man whose life was cut short in his prime. The sense of grief and frustration was palpable, with many residents expressing fears that they could be the next victims.

Despite the outcry, the local government chairman of Isi-Uzo LGA, Obiora Obeagu, dismissed the incident. He alleged on social media that the protest was politically motivated to tarnish the image of Governor Peter Mbah’s administration.

His comments sparked further outrage among the protesters, who accused him of ignoring their suffering while insecurity continued to ravage their communities. Many argued that instead of making political claims, the government should focus on addressing the urgent security threats in Eha-Amufu.

The killing of Ndubuisi is one of many in Eha-Amufu, a once-peaceful agrarian community now struggling under the weight of persistent attacks. Residents are calling on authorities to take decisive action before more innocent lives are lost.