Tensions are high in Ebonyi following the alleged murder of a woman by herdsmen

By Adeleye Kunle

The Ebonyi State Government denied on Thursday on social media that herdsmen were involved in the death of a young lady in Onicha local government area.

On Wednesday, the body of a young lady from Amaporo village whose name could not be determined was discovered along a bush path between Agbebor, Isu, and Onicha-Igboeze communities.

As a result of the situation, the youths formed a search party to look for the killers.

However, their efforts were futile because the killers were said to have escaped.

Pictures of the slain lady quickly circulated on social media, along with unconfirmed claims that the attacks were carried out by herdsmen.

The victim was photographed lying lifeless on a pile of firewood, her throat slit.

However, Commissioner for Information Uchenna Orji stated that there is no evidence to link the murder to herdsmen and that no herdsmen live in the area.

He stated that the victim was attacked while returning from a neighboring village by criminal elements in the area.

“Our attention has been drawn to a trending social media post about a young girl discovered dead in a village in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State and the impressions created about the circumstances of her death,” he said.

“While the State Government condemns the heinous incident as an unacceptable brutal murder of an innocent citizen by heartless criminals, it is critical to note that, contrary to claims circulating on social media that Fulani Herders were responsible for her heinous murder, the community has seen nothing linking her death to the Fulani Herdsmen, and there is no Herders’ camp in the area.”

“The unfortunate incident was the work of unidentified criminals who attacked and killed the deceased on her way back from processing cassava at Agbegbor village in Isu community, Onicha Local Government Area.”

“The community, in collaboration with security agencies, has declared a manhunt for the perpetrators.” “The State Government expresses its condolences to the victim’s family and assures them that the government will not stop until the killers of the young girl are apprehended,” he said.

Chris Anyanwu, a police spokesperson, confirmed the incident to our reporter.

He noticed that the lady’s underwear was missing, raising the possibility that she was raped before being murdered.

“An investigation into the incident has begun.” People claim she was raped because they couldn’t find her underwear.

“However, only a forensic analysis will reveal if anything like that occurred,” he said.