Women in Enugu Protest Against Attacks and Rapes Allegedly Carried Out by Armed Men Believed to Be Herders

 Eha-Ohala, comprising the autonomous communities of Mgbuji, Umujiove, and Abor, has been facing a severe crisis that has led to widespread protests.

On Tuesday morning, at around 8:30 AM, a group of women took to the streets, blocking the Nkalagu-Eha-Amufu-Ikem-Obollo-Afor Federal Highway. Their demonstration was a plea to the Enugu State government to take immediate action and find a lasting solution to the ongoing violence plaguing their communities.

The protesters strongly criticized the security agencies, accusing them of neglecting their duties and allegedly shielding the perpetrators of these attacks. They shared distressing testimonies of women being subjected to brutal sexual violence, physical assaults, and mutilation by suspected herdsmen.

A video obtained by SaharaReporters captured the anguish of the demonstrators, who lamented that their people could no longer access their farmlands due to fear of attacks. This, they noted, has intensified economic hardships and heightened food insecurity in the region.

"Our women are being raped by Fulani herdsmen. Our husbands no longer go to their farms. Our sons are afraid to step into the fields. When women attempt to farm, they are beaten and raped, with some even having sticks inserted into their private parts," the distressed women recounted.

SaharaReporters, which has extensively covered the violent incidents in Eha-Amufu—a border community with Benue State—reported that between 2020 and 2025, over 150 people have lost their lives, while 28 farm settlements have been invaded and occupied by herdsmen.

Efforts to obtain a response from Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, were unsuccessful, as he did not return calls seeking comments on the matter.

Likewise, the Enugu State government has yet to address the protest, with Governor Peter Mbah’s media unit remaining silent on the situation.

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