Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi has condemned the attack on some communities in the Ishielu local government area of the state by suspected gunmen.

The attack took place on Monday night in Nkalaha, Obegu, Amazu, Nkalagu, and Umuhuali Autonomous Communities.

At least 15 persons were reportedly killed during the attack, allegedly carried out by herders.

Mr Umahi visited the communities on Tuesday to commiserate with the bereaved families and ascertain the assailants’ level of damage.

Addressing the people, he expressed sadness over the gruesome attack.

He charged all the security agencies in the state to go after the perpetrators to bring them to justice.

“I got very shocking news this afternoon about the attack on about four communities in the state.

“We feel so sad that this kind of thing should happen in Ebonyi, we feel so worried for our country Nigeria, and we are short of words.

“We condemn this attack because it is capable of causing very serious killings if allowed to continue this way,” he said.

Umahi appealed to the communities to remain calm and shun reprisals.

The UK government through its High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, had expressed similar concerns of acute insecurity in the country.

“We are extremely concerned about the deteriorating security situation. I mean, Nigeria is facing a lot of problems everywhere – in the North-East, terrorism; in the North-West, banditry, kidnapping; in the Middle Belt, the farmers-herders conflict; in the South, the Niger Delta conflict everywhere.

“And the secession movements in the South-East. So, Nigeria is really struggling,” Ms Liang noted.

(NAN)