It’s A Lie, Herdsmen not Occupying Any Place in Enugu

The Enugu State Police Command has come out strongly to refute an online report claiming that herdsmen have taken over homes and schools in Eha-Amufu, a community in the state.

The Command described the report as “baseless, mischievous, and misleading” in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe.

According to the statement, the report, which has been circulating on social media, alleged that herdsmen have invaded and displaced communities in Eha-Amufu, forcing residents to flee their homes. However, the Police Command clarified that no community in Eha-Amufu or any part of Enugu State has been invaded, placed under siege, or displaced as claimed.

The Command explained that the so-called “overrun farm settlements” mentioned in the report are actually temporary shelters used by farmers, who periodically return to their villages. The statement also noted that while there were farmer-herder clashes in Eha-Amufu in 2021 and 2022, joint security operations have since restored peace and stability to the area.

The Enugu State Government, under the leadership of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, has been commended for its “intentional and intensive interventions” to strengthen security in the state. These efforts include the deployment of 150 military personnel and well-equipped Special Forces to the area, as well as the construction of the nearly completed 21.7km Agape-Agu Mgbuji-Ogbete access road, which has improved security and connectivity in the community.

The Police Command also criticized the medium that published the report, accusing it of using unrelated images to mislead the public. A forensic digital analysis revealed that the pictures used in the report were repurposed from incidents in neighboring states, including images posted by Amnesty International following a February 4, 2025, attack on Nkalaeha community.

Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, has urged residents to dismiss the unfounded report and assured them of the Police Command’s unwavering commitment to maintaining law and order. He called on citizens, particularly those in Eha-Amufu, to remain law-abiding, cooperate with security agencies, and report genuine security concerns through official channels.

“We understand that the spread of false information can cause panic and undermine the efforts of security agencies,” CP Giwa said. “We appeal to the public to be vigilant and verify information before sharing it on social media. We are committed to maintaining peace and security in Enugu State, and we will not be deterred by malicious reports.”

The Enugu State Government has also weighed in on the matter, describing the report as “a blatant attempt to cause chaos and destabilize the state.” Governor Mbah assured residents that his administration is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens, and that the government will not tolerate any form of violence or intimidation.

As the situation in Eha-Amufu remains calm, residents have expressed relief and gratitude to the Police Command and the state government for their efforts to maintain peace and security. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of verifying information before sharing it, and the need for the public to be cautious of fake news and misinformation.