Suspected Herdsmen Attack FUTO Host Community in Imo — Several Shot, Kidnapped

Fear swept through the host community of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri this week after suspected herdsmen launched a deadly attack that left residents injured and several others missing.

The assault occurred on Wednesday night in Eziobodo, one of the communities that make up the FUTO axis in Imo State. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as gunmen surrounded the Ihiagwa-Eziobodo road, shooting at passersby and abducting those they could capture.

Victims with bullet wounds were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, while others were taken to hospitals in the vicinity. The exact number of casualties remains unclear, but local sources say several people are still unaccounted for.

The Imo State Police Command confirmed the attack and said security deployment has been strengthened in the affected areas. Police Public Relations Officer DSP Henry Okoye said Commissioner of Police Audu Garba Bosso has ordered a manhunt for the perpetrators.

Pattern of insecurity

The incident adds to growing security concerns in Imo State, where communities have faced repeated attacks in recent months. While the state has not experienced the same level of violence as some northern regions, the frequency of incidents appears to be increasing.

Students and residents of neighbouring communities including Ihiagwa and Okolochi have been thrown into panic. Many are now afraid to travel the roads after dark, and some families have temporarily relocated to safer areas.

The attack comes at a time when insecurity linked to herder-farmer conflicts has spread beyond the traditional flashpoints in the North Central and Northwest zones. Southeast states have recorded sporadic incidents, though few have reached this scale.

Security response

Police officials assured residents that the command is committed to apprehending those responsible. “The Commissioner of Police has assured Imolites of safety and ordered a manhunt for the miscreants responsible for the attack,” Okoye said.

Security forces have been deployed to the area, but residents are calling for more sustained protection. University officials have also been in touch with security agencies to ensure the safety of students and staff.

For now, the community remains on edge. Families are waiting for news of those who went missing, while others are counting their injuries — physical and psychological — and wondering if this is the new normal.

Sources: ThisDay, The Nation, Guardian, Punch, Vanguard