Palpable fear has gripped residents of the Alayi community in Bende local government area of Abia State, over the disappearance of one Mr. James Onwukwe in 2023 following a series of attacks on the area by suspected herdsmen.

It was learnt that the pastoralists first struck in the community on April 10, 2021 and allegedly killed the father of James Onwukwe LATE CHIEF S. ONWUKWE OGBONNAYA thereby sends the entire community into confusion.

When the herders first struck in the community, no fewer than six households in the community were attacked, with the apartment of James Onwukwe, who they alleged to have been opposing their activities in the community, seriously destroyed.

Onwukwe’s father lost his life in the process as a result of that attack, his wife and children were not spared by the rampaging herders, who used guns and other dangerous weapons, freely, hence Mr. James Onwukwe relocated to an unknown destination with his wife and children.

Sources said the itinerant herders have remained resolute in their plans, to continue to create tension in the area, with their illicit destruction of crops on farmlands belonging to residents and Mr. James Onwukwe became their major target due to his opposition to their activities.
Targeted attacks were launched against him by these headers before he decided to leave the village in 2023.

According to the Eze (Chiefs) in council, the presence of the headers in recent weeks has once again brought into memories their past heinous activities in the village and sent the entire community into panicking.
According to them, We are predominantly farmers and farming is our only means of livelihood.

“We spend huge sums of money to acquire land, cultivate it, weed, and tend it only for these marauding herders to come and destroy all our efforts at the time of harvest,”

They further said that the development portended grave consequences, including food shortage, for their community and its environs.
People are afraid of going to their farms for the fear of being killed.

*Community leaders reported that the herders and their cattle were last sighted around Mr. James Onwukwe’s house on Saturday, 29th November 2025, causing widespread panic and reinforcing the belief that Mr. Onwukwe remains on their “wanted list.”*

*Residents expressed that the repeated sightings have made them feel like strangers in their own land, with families relocating once again for safety. Many fear a looming famine if these threats are not swiftly and decisively addressed.*

“The development has made us, foreigners in our own land as our people are now relocating once again from their communities for the safety of their lives.’’
They feared that their families and the entire community could be plunged into serious famine in the new year if no serious steps were taken to permanently stop the attacks.

According to a source, these headers have been coming to Mr Onwukwe’s house from time to time signalling that he could be killed anytime he sets his feet in the village. The best thing for him to do is to remain where he is, if he’s still alive.