In a tragic incident, suspected herdsmen, believed to be bandits, attacked a school bus belonging to St Paul’s College, Eke, a Catholic school in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State. The assailants killed a female student and left several others with severe bullet wounds.
The bandits, suspected of involvement in kidnapping activities, targeted the school bus in an attempt to stop it and abduct the students. The quick thinking of the bus driver, who continued driving without stopping, prevented further harm to the students.
Despite the driver’s bravery, the attackers abducted a traditional ruler from nearby Affa along Eke-Egede-Affa Road. The ruler was kidnapped while returning from a security meeting with the chairman of Udi Local Government.
A viral video showed the aftermath of the attack, displaying the lifeless body of the deceased student and some survivors with bullet wounds. The narrator in the video called for government intervention, describing the area as a “death zone.”
The Principal of St Paul’s College, Rev. Fr. Frank, confirmed the attack, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of a promising young student. The incident highlighted the security challenges in the region, with the area being a known hotspot for kidnappers, particularly those associated with herdsmen.
Community sources revealed that the forest in the region, known as ‘Ofia-Akwu,’ spanning about 15 kilometers, has been a haven for kidnappers for years. Despite the knowledge of security agencies, efforts to flush out the criminal elements have been unsuccessful, leading to recurrent incidents of violence and loss of lives.
The community leader emphasized the urgent need for intervention to address the security situation and prevent further loss of lives in the area.
