By CHARLES IWUOHA

At least two persons have been reported dead as a result of the Christmas Eve raid on Agudene, Akpawfu Community in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State.

Identities of those killed was not yet clear as at the time of this report but our source said many have fled the community for fear.

Church services could not hold in the community on Christmas Day as the raid continued the following morning.

Security agents believed to be soldiers had on Friday night stormed the community and operated all through the night as villagers scampered for safety.

The soldiers, who reportedly arrived the community at about midnight, disrupted the Christmas celebrations, turning the mood into one of fear and apprehension.

“This is happening in my own village Agudene Akpawfu. We don’t know what we have done to these people. One of the boys they went to his house was brutally beaten up we are not sure he will survive it.

“They are still here up to this morning. As I speak to you I am in hiding. People have ran away for fear,” a source toldNews Express.

Traditional ruler of Akpawfu Community, His Royal Highness Igwe Christopher Nnamani, confirmed the report. He said some villagers had already been reported missing.

The Nigerian Army in an official statement said the community was the hideout of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)/Eastern Security Network (ESN) and that one of the group’s leaders was arrested during the raid. The statement was however silent on number of casualties.