Enugu, December 31, 2025 – In an incident that has left residents shocked and angry, Mrs. Ukamaka Agbo, a widow from Ebonyi State, was brutally attacked by rival traders at Gariki Market, Afor-Awkunanaw, Enugu State, while selling donkey meat to sustain her family. The attack, which occurred around 6pm on Tuesday, involved machetes and knives, leaving Mrs. Agbo with severe injuries, including a near-severed finger. Video footage obtained by SUNTV Global shows the widow lying helpless in a pool of blood, highlighting the extreme violence she endured.
Mrs. Agbo, a mother of five, has been struggling to make ends meet since losing her husband. According to sources, her attackers—identified as cow butchers operating within the market—had repeatedly warned her to leave Enugu and return to Ebonyi State. “They told her to go back to her state and do her business there,” a source said. “They vowed to use every resource at their disposal, including influence with security agencies, to frustrate her and others from Ebonyi in the trade.”
What has made the incident even more alarming is the reported arrest of Mrs. Agbo and her colleagues alongside their attackers by officers from the MTD Police Division. This action has sparked outrage from human rights advocates and local residents who see it as an injustice that punishes the victim rather than protecting her.
A senior police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, condemned the attack as unlawful and rooted in ethnic discrimination. “The victim was targeted purely because of her state of origin. There is no crime she committed,” he said. The officer also confirmed that Mrs. Agbo’s business is fully legal, citing Sections 74, 75, and 76 of the Enugu State Public Health Law, and noting that her trade is registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission.
Observers have warned that incidents like these threaten national unity and economic fairness. Another police source highlighted the danger of allowing such discriminatory practices to go unchecked. “The idea that someone should be barred from doing business simply because of where they come from is against our laws and the spirit of our country,” the source said.
Residents have expressed anger and concern over the broader implications of the attack. “This is a poor widow trying to provide for her children, yet she faces brutal violence simply for working,” said one local. “If this can happen to her, it can happen to anyone tomorrow. Authorities must step in immediately.”
Mrs. Agbo’s story also sheds light on a troubling pattern of harassment. Reports indicate that she has previously faced intimidation, destruction of property, alleged illegal arrests, and extortion attempts by some security operatives. Despite these challenges, she continues to persevere to support her children, highlighting her resilience in the face of adversity.
Human rights groups are calling for an immediate and impartial investigation into the attack, demanding accountability for the perpetrators, and urging the government to ensure the safety of all traders operating legally in the state.
Efforts by SUNTV Global to obtain a response from the Enugu State Police Command were unsuccessful, as spokesperson SP Daniel Ndukwe did not respond to phone calls or messages seeking comment.
The attack on Mrs. Agbo has ignited public debate about the need for stronger protections for small traders and the role of ethnic tolerance in maintaining peace and unity in business communities. As the story continues to unfold, many are urging swift action to ensure justice and prevent further incidents of this nature in Enugu and across Nigeria.
