3 Suspected Fulani Herdsmen Rape 75 Year Old Woman In Enugu

Three suspected Fulani herdsmen accused of raping a 75 year old woman (name withheld) on Friday at Umulungbe community in Udi Local
Government Area of Enugu State have been apprehended and handed over to the police.

THE WHISTLER gathered that the incident happened around 5:30pm 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 the 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 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.”

Our correspondent gathered from the police station at 9th Mile, Enugu, that both the culprit and the woman were currently receiving treatment in 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.

Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe, when contacted, said he would get back to our correspondent. But he was yet to get back as at press time.