Bandits suspected to be herdsmen have invaded Egedegede, Obegu and Amuzu communities in the Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State and killed many residents.

“We are mourning, we are in serious mourning since late hour of Monday. Herdsmen invaded our communities and massacred our people. As we speak, 18 persons were slaughtered like animals,” a resident told Journalists.

Another source said “They killed 10 persons, burnt vehicles, motorcycles and looted our properties”.

He said among those killed was a Priest in the Methodist Church, whose car was equally burnt to ashes.

Chairman of Ishielu local Government Area, Hon. Sunday Eze and Commissioner for Business Development in the state, Dr. Stephen Odo, who hail from the local government, led a team of security agents to the communities and condoled the families of those killed in the invasion, on Tuesday.

They assured that government would take proactive measures to investigate the invasion.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Loveth Odah, confirmed the incident to Journalists.

“The Commissioner of Police delegated a team of Policemen for on the spot assessment because of peace talks going on in the town. So, the Commissioner of Police delegated them; Deputy Commissioner of Police Operations and others went for on the spot assessment to enable us get the detail of the report. So, they are yet to come back.

“We are still waiting for our men to come back to tell us their findings. I am already preparing a press release on the incident but their report too will assist us in giving you detail information about it”, Odah said.

The Governor visited the war-torn communities today and assure them of government’s commitment towards ensuring lasting peace in Effium and Ezza Effium in the State.

Umahi, also visited Ishielu LGA to ascertain the current situation of the incident and condole with the family of the deceased.