A suspected Fulani herdsman accused of raping a 75-year-old woman (name withheld) on Friday, April 4th at Umulungbe community in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State have been apprehended and handed over to the police.
According to information gathered, the incident happened around 5:30 pm when the woman, alongside another, was attacked in their farms by the herders.
An eye witness, one Chikeokwu, said he was drinking at a pub opposite the police division at Umulungbe when the Fulani suspect was brought to the police.
According to him, “The rape victim is from Lett Village. They were two in the farm when three herdsmen attacked them. One of the women ran away. I guess all the three herders partook in molesting her, considering that she was in a pool of blood when she was rescued.”
According to sources, one of the culprits named Abba Kyari Mohammed from Taraba state, was nabbed and brought to the police division.
The leaders of the Fulani herdsmen camping in the community were also summoned. However, they denied knowing the suspect and claimed that he and his gang, who were at large, might have sneaked into the community.
The administrator of Ojebe Ogene Development Centre in Udi LGA and native of Umulungbe, Mike Ngwuede, confirmed the incident, saying the police had taken over the matter.
In his words, “I thank the Nigeria Police for quick intervention. It is unfortunate that as the world battles COVID-19, some miscreants can still commit this act.”
The chairman of Udi LGA, Ifeanyi Agu, said the act was condemnable, adding that, “ Prior to my swearing in as council chairman, I consulted widely to ensure absolute security of lives and property in Udi LGA. We have the state’s security committee that has been very active. We also have our Forest Guards and neighbourhood watch. I personally advocate farming for our people because of the relative peace in our area. But what happened indicates that we need to re-strengthen our security apparatus to ensure that such never occurred again.”
Report further gathered from the police station at 9th Mile, Enugu, reveals that both the culprit and the victim were currently receiving treatment at a hospital.
A source who did not want to be mentioned, said the culprit was beaten up by angry youths in the community before the intervention of the police. “If not for the quick intervention of the police from Umulungbe division, the suspect might have been mercilessly beaten up. They saved him from the hands of infuriated villagers, before he was later transferred to the 9th Mile Police Station,” the source stated.
As at the time of filing this report, the Enugu state police command is yet to release an official statement concerning the incident.
