Disappointment was written all over the faces of Nimbo residents over the weekend as their hope of playing host to fiery Enugu priest, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka was dashed.
As early as 7 am, anxious residents had lined up gallons of water to be blessed by the charismatic priest in charge of the Adoration Ministry, Enugu.
It could be re-called that suspected Fulani herdsmen launched a serious attack on Nimbo community, Uzo-Uwani Council Area of Enugu State in April, killing scores and wounding several others.
Residents of the community, who expressed sadness over Fr. Mbaka’s inability to visit the community as promised, said it was owing to security concerns.
A community source disclosed that Mbaka’s decision followed fresh herdsmen attack on Uzo-Uwani community within last week.
It was gathered that a woman, who had gone to her farm to harvest grain and vegetable, received matched cuts from the herdsmen.
The victims, simply identified as Mrs Ogbobe Monica (popularly known as Mama Ejima) was said to have gone to the farm alone when she was accosted by a herdsman, who ordered made attempt to rape her.
The source added that while the woman struggle with him, he (the herdsman) gave her serious matchet cut on the shoulder.
“As soon as the woman ran back to the village, residents started fleeing their homes. The community had earlier warned people not to go the farmlands alone but in groups.
Mrs Ogbobe is currently receiving treatment at the hospital in a neighbouring community’’, he noted.
“All the same, we feel so sad that he (Fr. Mbaka) couldn’t make the trip; you can see gallons of water lined up here to be blessed. It was indeed disappointing”, he added.
Meanwhile, speaking at the commemoration service, the parish priest of St. Francis parish Ogurugu Rev. Fr. Aaron Okeogu, in his homily urged the community to brace up and face the challenges instead of always running away.
Similarly, the parish priest of the Catholic Church in Nimbo, Rev. Obetta Okeke said that entire community was aware that the herdsmen had fully returned to Nimbo and that as such, “people go to farm in groups to pick crops and return back the same way”.
He disclosed that an Abbi indigene, who recently went to farm alone, had his legs shattered by the herdsmen.
He added that Nimbo residents on hearing the incident at Abbi, took to their heels in their numbers.
Efforts made to obtain reaction from Fr. Mbaka was unsuccessful as at the time of filling this report as his media aide, Barr. Maximus Ugwuoke did not pick his call.
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