Ejiofor Calls on Enugu Gov. Mbah to Suspend Campaign Activities and Visit Ukpata Community Following Deadly Attack

A human rights lawyer has demanded immediate action after one man was killed and others injured in an alleged suspected herders’ attack in the Ukpata community of Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area, Enugu State. Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor has called on the Governor, Peter Mbah to investigate the incident and take definitive action to ensure it does not happen again.

The attack

It was alleged that heavily armed gunmen on Friday, October 29, 2026 stormed into the community. Ezechi Ekenechukwu, who was the breadwinner of his family, was shot dead while many others were injured.

The images of the deceased were reported to show clear signs of gunshots to the chest and injuries caused by a machete to his hands. As of Monday, November 2, no arrests have been made and members of the community are still living in fear.

Statement

"Such killings are condemnable. I offer my sympathies to those affected. This is yet another brutal attack on a peace loving community. It is sad to see a young man who was the sole provider for his family lose his life.

"However, it is strange how we never seem to prioritise the safety of our rural communities over political activity. This attack occurred whilst the Governor was inaugurating his campaign council and inviting political appointees, a Catholic Bishop and other religious leaders.

"It may be high time the Governor, Peter Mbah pauses the party mood of campaigning to visit this community, witness the destruction for himself and prove that the lives of the people of rural Enugu matter."

Call for action

Barrister Ejiofor has warned that if these armed criminals continue to roam the forests and farmlands of Uzo-Uwani then it will encourage more attacks. He has called for consistent security operations using intelligence to push these individuals out of the area so that community members can feel safe returning to their farmland.

While acknowledging the sacrifices of the Enugu State Forest Guards he has called for better equipment, intelligence and resources to tackle heavily armed attackers.

He has also called on security services to identify and prosecute those responsible. "There needs to be action taken, not more political statements, committees and fake security measures."

Community fears resurface

Concerns are rising in Uzo-Uwani after the killing. This is an agricultural community and community members have been heavily impacted by farming. The community has previously suffered fatal attacks by suspected herders. Two young men were killed in Ukpata and Opanda in June 2024.

Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor had previously raised concerns on October 28, after reports of armed men reportedly taking over ancestral farmlands in the community. He had called on the governor to take back these lands so that a major security and human crisis did not occur.

"Ukpata is on fire. Our people are in mourning. Our ancestral heritage is threatened. This is not another committee, another promise or another campaign speech. This is an urgent, definitive and uncompromising call."

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