VICTOR DURUAMAKU, Owerri
Fear and confusion have engulfed communities hosting the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) in Imo State following attacks by heavily armed men suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, forcing residents to flee their homes, disrupting academic activities, and triggering major security concerns across the area.
The attacks, which reportedly occurred on Friday evening, affected communities around Ihiagwa and Eziobodo in Owerri West Local Government Area, particularly villages located along the Okohia forest axis linking the two communities.
Eyewitnesses said more than 120 armed men invaded the area at about 6:30 p.m., shooting sporadically and causing widespread panic among residents and students living in off-campus hostels around FUTO.
The incident immediately sparked tension across the university community, with several lecturers reportedly staying away from work over security fears, leading to the cancellation of lectures in parts of the institution.
Residents described scenes of chaos as people abandoned businesses, ran into nearby communities for safety, and hurriedly evacuated students from private hostels located around the university environment.
“The entire area was thrown into confusion. People were running in different directions because nobody knew where the gunmen would strike next,” an eyewitness told our correspondent.
According to residents, the attackers were first sighted around the Okohia forest corridor, an area connecting Ihiagwa, Eziobodo, and Okolochi communities.
Sources alleged that the gunmen abducted several persons around the FUTO back gate before retreating into the forest area.
The latest attack comes barely days after some FUTO students were reportedly kidnapped near the institution by armed men who allegedly demanded huge ransom payments from their families.
A resident disclosed that one female student abducted during the earlier incident had remained in captivity for over one week as ransom negotiations continued.
Ihiagwa, one of the affected communities, hosts the Federal University of Technology Owerri and several privately owned hostels occupied by students.
Residents said the latest attack deepened fears already spreading within the university environment over rising insecurity around the institution.
According to eyewitness accounts, the attackers opened fire on residents and commercial motorcyclists returning home from work and business activities.
At least three persons, including a four-year-old boy, reportedly sustained injuries during the attack.
Confirming the incident, the Youth Leader of Umuezeala community in Eziobodo, Prince Chima Okoro, said panic spread rapidly across the affected communities after reports emerged that suspected herdsmen were attacking residents.
“Yes, our people were attacked and three persons were wounded, including a four-year-old boy who sustained injuries on his head,” he said.
“As of around 6:30 p.m. yesterday, people from Ihiagwa to Eziobodo were running for safety after reports that Fulani herdsmen were attacking the communities, so we quickly alerted our local security outfit.”
Okoro said information available to community leaders indicated that the attackers abducted some persons around the FUTO back gate before moving toward the forest area connecting Eziobodo, Ihiagwa, and Okolochi.
He explained that violence broke out when the armed men encountered commercial motorcyclists conveying passengers between Ihiagwa and Eziobodo.
“In the process of crossing the road, there was a confrontation with commercial motorcyclists carrying passengers from Ihiagwa to Eziobodo,” he stated.
According to him, two victims are currently receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri.
“One person was shot while another was cut with a machete. The four-year-old boy sustained injuries suspected to be from gunshots on his forehead,” he added.
The youth leader, however, dismissed reports circulating on social media claiming that over 200 persons were killed during the attack.
He described the reports as false and exaggerated, insisting that no death had been officially recorded.
Despite this, he warned that residents remained terrified because the suspected attackers were believed to still be hiding inside the surrounding forests.
“Our people are living in fear and the youths are angry. I appeal to the Presidency, the Governor, and well-meaning Nigerians to come to our aid,” Okoro said.
The traditional ruler of the community, HRH Eze Lucky Okoro, also confirmed the attack and condemned what he described as misleading reports exaggerating casualty figures.
Reacting to the development, the Imo State Police Command announced the deployment of tactical and intelligence teams to Ihiagwa and adjoining communities to strengthen security and prevent further attacks.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Henry Okoye, said preliminary investigations showed that the incident involved a failed abduction attempt along the Umuokwo Ihiagwa/Eziobodo Road.
According to him, police operatives, local vigilantes, and community members resisted the attackers during the incident.
“Preliminary reports showed that the attackers attempted to abduct a victim but were resisted through the swift intervention of police operatives, local vigilante groups, and community members,” he stated.
He confirmed that one victim sustained gunshot injuries and was rushed to hospital for treatment.
The police command also debunked reports of mass killings in the communities, describing such claims as false, misleading, and capable of creating panic.
Commissioner of Police Audu Bosso warned against the circulation of unverified videos and security-related misinformation on social media.
“The Command categorically states that the narratives being circulated are false, misleading, and a calculated attempt to create fear, panic, tension, and distrust among residents,” the statement read.
According to the police, some of the videos being shared online were either old, manipulated, or deliberately taken out of context to incite fear and ethnic tension.
The command warned that individuals spreading false and inciting security-related content would be investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Police authorities further reassured residents that security measures had been reinforced across the affected communities through the deployment of tactical teams and intelligence assets.
The command said coordinated operations were ongoing to track down those responsible for the attack as well as individuals spreading inflammatory information capable of causing public disorder.
Residents, however, say fear remains widespread across the affected communities as many families continue to avoid night movements while students and business owners worry about renewed attacks in the area.
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