Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen have attacked the country home of Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Frank Mbah in Ezimo community, Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State. The incident happened on Thursday evening around 7 pm, leaving one police officer dead.
According to eyewitnesses, the attackers stormed the residence fully armed and attempted to gain entry. They were resisted by the policeman on guard, but he was eventually shot dead. The assailants reportedly seized his rifle before escaping into the nearby bush.
Community sources told SaharaReporters that the same group may have been behind the killing of a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Mathew Eya, in a neighbouring community just a day after the attack. Residents believe the attackers are part of a kidnapping network that has been terrorising the area for months.
“They have kidnapped people very close to Mbah’s house on two occasions. This time, they killed the policeman because he challenged them,” one source explained. He added that the assailants are regularly sighted around sand and gravel mining sites, yet security remains weak.
The incident has sparked fear across Ezimo and nearby towns, with many residents worried that the attackers may be planning further violence. Some locals accused the police of making hasty arrests after the attack, saying an innocent man was picked up simply because he was drunk and roaming nearby.
Despite the tension, community members stressed that no one in Ezimo would target DIG Mbah, describing him as a source of pride for the area. Efforts to reach the Enugu State Police Command for comments were unsuccessful, as spokesperson SP Daniel Ndukwe did not respond to calls or text messages.
