Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen have attacked the residence of Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Frank Mbah in Ezimo Community, Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The attack, which occurred on Thursday around 7:00 p.m., led to the death of a police officer guarding the house.
According to community sources, the armed assailants attempted to force their way into the residence but were resisted by the officer. He was shot dead after raising an alarm, and his rifle was taken before the attackers fled into the bush.
One source linked the incident to the killing of a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Mathew Eya, in neighbouring Eha-Ndiagu, Nsukka Local Government Area, the following evening.
> “We suspect the same assailants were behind both attacks. They have been kidnapping people around this area, sometimes less than 500 metres from Mbah’s house,” the source said. “They had never killed anyone until now. Our security system here is weak, and people regularly see these men, especially those mining sand and gravel nearby.”
The source further explained that although multiple officers are usually assigned to secure the DIG’s residence, only the slain guard appeared to be present during the assault.
Another resident alleged that police later arrested a local man known to be drunk at the time, insisting he had no connection to the attackers but was detained “just so they could show they are working.”
> “Nobody from Ezimo would nurse evil against DIG Mbah. He is our pride,” the resident added.
Tension remains high in Ezimo and neighbouring communities as residents fear further attacks.
Efforts to obtain a reaction from the Enugu State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, did not answer calls or respond to text messages.
