Panic in FUTO Community Over Alleged Herdsmen Attacks as Alumni Dismiss Reports

Panic in FUTO Community Over Alleged Herdsmen Attacks as Alumni Dismiss Reports

By Naomi Onome

Fear and anxiety have continued to spread across the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) community following reports of alleged attacks and kidnappings by suspected herdsmen along the Eziobodo-FUTO axis in Imo State.

The tension comes barely weeks after the reported abduction of a 17-year-old female student of the institution, Miss Mary Ezinwanyi Uzoma, along the FUTO-Ihiagwa Road — an incident that had already heightened insecurity concerns among students living off campus and residents of surrounding communities.

Fresh panic erupted on Wednesday night after several parents and residents took to social media, alleging rising insecurity around students’ lodges and host communities near the university.

Amid the growing fears, the FUTO Alumni Association dismissed claims that killings and kidnappings were ongoing along the Eziobodo-FUTO road, describing the reports as false.

In a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the association’s Owerri Chapter, Stephen Unachu, the alumni body said investigations conducted with community leaders and residents showed that no such attacks had occurred.

“The Office of the Public Relations Officer, FUTO Alumni Association, Owerri Chapter, wishes to address the security rumours currently circulating on various social media platforms,” the statement read.

“Information suggesting that Fulani herdsmen are engaging in killings and kidnappings along the Eziobodo-FUTO road is entirely false and unfounded.

“Following direct communication with the leadership and residents of the Eziobodo community tonight, we can confirm that no such incidents have occurred. We urge our members, students and the general public to remain calm and disregard these malicious reports intended to create unnecessary tension.”

Despite the reassurance, many parents and students insisted that security threats within the university environment should not be overlooked, particularly after the recent kidnapping of the teenage student.

A concerned parent, Mbakwe Alor, whose son resides in Eziobodo, said authorities should thoroughly investigate reports before dismissing them.

“I pray nothing happens to our children. My son lives in Eziobodo. Our security agencies hastily debunk such reports without proper investigation. But I pray it is false as they claim,” he said.

Another parent, Mrs Joy Izunna, expressed concern over what she described as the increasing presence of northern commercial motorcyclists around the university community.

“I was in FUTO last week at Eziobodo to bring some things for my son. From Nekede Junction, most of the cyclists there were northerners. Getting to Eziobodo, the same thing. I became terrified because the environment looked vulnerable,” she stated.

She also accused authorities of downplaying the fears of parents and students instead of taking proactive steps to strengthen security around the institution.

“FUTO management should stop playing with the lives of our precious children. Debunking the reports is the least expected of them rather than proactive security measures and policing for FUTO and environs,” she added.

Residents also called on security agencies and the Imo State Government to urgently intensify security operations around the university to prevent possible attacks.

“This new development of incessant attacks on FUTO students is worrisome. The university has to do something for the safety of students. Today it is Eziobodo, tomorrow it could spill over to other areas,” a resident said.

Some locals disclosed that security personnel, including military operatives, had reportedly been deployed to the area to calm tensions and improve surveillance.

“I think the situation is calming down. I learnt military men have been involved. The main thing now is to tighten security operations and provide safer transportation for students,” another resident noted.

The concerns followed the earlier reported kidnapping of Miss Mary Ezinwanyi Uzoma along the FUTO-Ihiagwa Road by suspected herdsmen.

Confirming the incident at the time, the spokesperson of the Imo State Police Command, Henry Okoye, said the Commissioner of Police, Audu Garba Bosso, had directed an intensive manhunt for the abductors.

According to Okoye, police operatives, working with local vigilantes, immediately launched coordinated search-and-rescue operations in nearby bushes and surrounding communities.

“The CP has directed the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Owerri, to take over the case and sustain intelligence-led operations, in synergy with other security agencies,” he said.

“These proactive measures are aimed at ensuring the safe rescue of the victim and the swift arrest of the perpetrators.”

Okoye added that security had been reinforced across the FUTO axis and adjoining communities through sustained patrols, surveillance and visibility policing.

He assured students, residents and school authorities of the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, while urging anyone with useful information to report to the nearest police station.

As of the time of filing this report, the management of the Federal University of Technology Owerri had yet to issue an official statement directly addressing the latest concerns raised by parents and students.