The peaceful rural community of Umudi, Amichi, in Nnewi Local Government Area of Anambra State, remains nearly deserted, since around the end of June, this year, following an attack by unidentified armed men, who reportedly came in their numbers, fired gunshots sporadically, and burnt some houses in the hamlet.

The violence, local sources report, claimed one life, and triggered the exodus of several family groups from the area, as people hurriedly abandoned their country homes for dear life.

Enquiries reveal that trouble broke out sometime between June and July 2021. Around that period, an unsigned threat letter was received by the family of one George Aniagboso, an Ibo and Christian, who was living with his father, Benjamin, who pastors a local church, and some other relatives.

According to our sources, George’s life was allegedly threatened in the letter. Following this shocking development, George’s father began preaching in church against the increasing violence across the land. Not long after, they got another threat letter. In the letter, it was gathered that the writer promised to wipe out the entire family.

Our Correspondent was also informed that the threat letters were most likely as a result of George’s openly vocal stand in support of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, a group pushing for a separate state, but which has been outlawed by the Federal Government.

Surprisingly, just three days after the second threat letter, late in the night, the Aniagboso’s home was raided by armed men, who released gunshots and, in the process, killed a young male, Anayo, a resident. The attackers also torched the house, as well as several other buildings, in an operation that allegedly lasted for more than one hour.

Fortune saved George and his family. On that day, himself, his father, and sisters had gone to visit a sick relation at another community when the invaders struck. They almost certainly would have been killed. When the news got to them via other community dwellers, the family members took to their heels. Some are believed to have left the country, for safer climes.

Since 2019 there have been reports of unprovoked attacks on mostly rural and agrarian areas in Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi, Imo and Abia states, predominantly populated and inhabited by the Ibo, by suspected ‘unknown gunmen’, who live rough in the dense forests which are contiguous to the native communities.

Many voices have been raised in protest against what some term genocide against the Ibo Christians. The government has been unable to quell the violence.

For now, several months after, many homes remain uninhabited in the village. Checks have also showed that even those who wish to come home dare not do so, for fear of being attacked and, possibly, killed.

As the Aniagbosos, and other families, remain in enforced exile, it remains to be seen how this vexing issue will be resolved. Only time can tell when these people can safely return to their homes.