Tragedy Strikes St Paul’s College: Female Student Brutally Killed by Suspected Kidnappers

In a horrifying incident late Thursday, tears flowed freely as news spread of the brutal killing of a female student from St Paul’s College, Eke, in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State. 

The victim fell victim to a gunshot fired by kidnappers suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.

According to reliable sources, other students who were also hit by bullets are currently fighting for their lives in an undisclosed hospital. A resident, who contacted our correspondent on Thursday night, shared the distressing information.

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A chilling video portraying the lifeless body of the deceased student and some survivors of the attack went viral. A voice in the video recounted the harrowing experience, blaming Fulani herdsmen for the assault on the students who were heading home after school. The narrator explained that one student was shot dead, and four others sustained gunshot wounds, with one succumbing to the injuries instantly.

The footage captured the grim reality of the situation, showcasing the lifeless victim and others struggling for survival. The narrator pleaded for government intervention, describing the affected area as a "death zone."

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Rev. Fr. Frank, the Principal of the Catholic Church-owned school, confirmed the attack, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of the promising young girl. He recounted that the assailants, identified as gunmen, opened fire on the students as they were on their way home from school.

Community sources stated that the region had been a hotspot for kidnappings, with security agencies seemingly powerless to curb the activities of the marauding herdsmen. A community leader, speaking anonymously, revealed that victims of kidnappings in Udi and Ezeagu areas were often held captive until ransom was paid. Those unable to meet the ransom demands were reportedly killed after a few days.

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The community leader highlighted a notorious forest called 'Ofia-akwu,' spanning about 15 kilometers, as a known danger zone where the Fulani herdsmen operated in kidnapping and other criminal activities.

In a disturbing turn of events, a well-known traditional ruler was reportedly abducted by the same gang after the school bus attack. The monarch from Affa was kidnapped along Eke-Egede-Affa Road, according to a message from Offorkansi Hyginus, PRO of the Affa security committee. Efforts to obtain a response from the Police Public Relations Officer, Enugu State Command, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, were ongoing at the time of filing this report.