Terror in Enugu: Suspected Herdsmen Kill Over 10 in Aguamede
Enugu State, Nigeria — June 17, 2025
The peaceful evening of Sunday, June 16, 2025, turned into a bloodbath for residents of Aguamede community in Eha-Amufu, located in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State, as suspected armed herdsmen launched a brutal and unexpected attack that left more than 10 people dead. This horrific incident is another grim addition to the growing list of security crises in the southeastern part of Nigeria, which has increasingly been plagued by violent assaults from unknown gunmen and alleged killer herdsmen.
According to reports by Vanguard Newspaper, the attackers descended on Ikpakpara, a settlement within Aguamede, at about 4:30 p.m., a time when many residents were still in church, observing their usual Sunday services. Witnesses from the area described the attack as shockingly silent and devastating.
“They did not even announce their operation with any gunshot. They just came in and started using machetes to butcher people and had killed more than 10 people in their homes, before anybody knew what was happening,” one deeply shaken resident told reporters.
Helicopter Activity Sparks Conspiracy Theories
Before the attack, villagers had noticed a helicopter hovering over the area, a detail which many now see as suspicious in light of the deadly ambush that followed. Several locals believe that the suspected herdsmen may have been airlifted into the community, raising alarming questions about the potential sophistication and external support behind the massacre.
“It was unusual to see a helicopter circling that low around our community. And not long after, these people just came out of nowhere and began killing our people,” another resident explained.
While these suspicions remain unconfirmed, they have intensified public fear and speculation over how bandits are managing to strike with such precision and escape unnoticed in parts of Nigeria.
Details of the Massacre
Eyewitness accounts from survivors and community members paint a truly horrifying picture of what happened. The assailants, believed to be armed Fulani herdsmen, reportedly bypassed the use of firearms and instead used machetes and other sharp weapons, which allowed them to move silently and catch their victims completely off guard.
By the time neighbors realized what was happening, more than 10 villagers had already been hacked to death, their bodies left disfigured with deep machete wounds to the skull and other vital parts of the body.
According to a community member who spoke anonymously for fear of reprisal:
“Many more people are still missing, and we fear they may be dead in the bushes or have been abducted. At least 10 corpses have been recovered, and their injuries are horrifying—some were chopped so badly in the head that they were almost unrecognizable.”
A Pattern of Repeated Attacks in Eha-Amufu
This is not the first time that Eha-Amufu has faced such violence. In fact, this latest incident follows another attack that occurred just last week in Mbuji, another village in the same Eha-Amufu region. In that incident, at least four people were killed, also by suspected herdsmen. Residents have since expressed frustration and despair over what they describe as a campaign of terror against their communities.
Many villagers believe the targeted nature of the assaults points to a larger plan to displace the local population and seize control of their ancestral lands for herding or other activities. They accuse the government of turning a blind eye to their repeated calls for help.
Where Is the Government?
As of the time of this report, the Enugu State Police Command has not released any official statement regarding the Aguamede massacre. The silence from law enforcement and state officials has only fueled further resentment and feelings of abandonment among the victims and their relatives.
Local leaders and residents are now demanding immediate action from both Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging them to intervene and end the violence once and for all. There are growing calls for the deployment of a special security task force to protect vulnerable communities in Enugu East Senatorial Zone and its neighboring areas.
Humanitarian Crisis Brewing
Aside from the death toll, the continued violence has sparked a humanitarian crisis in Eha-Amufu. Thousands of residents have already been displaced from their homes due to the persistent insecurity. Many families now live in makeshift camps or with relatives in safer towns, with limited access to food, water, and medical care.
A local schoolteacher, who asked not to be named, revealed that several children have dropped out of school in recent months due to fear of attacks or the loss of their parents.
“How can children focus on learning when they’ve seen their own family members killed with machetes? Many of them can’t even sleep at night anymore,” she said tearfully.
National Outrage and Global Concern
The massacre has triggered widespread outrage across Nigeria. Human rights groups and civil society organizations have condemned the killings and are urging the government to act swiftly and decisively to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Social media platforms have been flooded with messages of anger, disbelief, and sorrow. Hashtags such as #JusticeForAguamede, #StopTheKillings, and #SecureOurLand are currently trending on Nigerian Twitter, with many users accusing the government of neglecting rural communities and prioritizing political games over the safety of its citizens.
What Next?
As investigations (if any) are awaited and grieving families begin to bury their dead, the people of Eha-Amufu are left with the painful reminder that in today's Nigeria, safety is no longer guaranteed—even within one's own home.
The federal and state governments must now rise to the occasion by taking responsibility, conducting transparent investigations, and deploying the necessary resources to secure Enugu and other embattled communities across the country.
If action is not taken urgently, the crisis in Enugu could deepen, fueling further displacement, ethnic tension, and long-term instability in a region that has historically been peaceful.
Final Thoughts
The Aguamede massacre is a painful reminder that Nigeria’s security situation remains fragile, especially in rural and border communities. As families mourn their dead and cry out for justice, it is imperative that both state and federal authorities act with urgency and empathy.
Every Nigerian deserves to feel safe in their homeland. The people of Aguamede have suffered enough. It is time for action—not excuses.
