Local Militia Behead Two, Abduct Seven In Renewed Ebonyi Communal Clashes

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The communal clashes rocking some parts of Ebony State upped its ante early Sunday morning May 19, 2024, two persons were beheaded, and seven, including five women abducted. No fewer than five houses were also razed by   suspected local militia in a dawn attack on Ikachi Village in  Akparata  Effium area of Ohaukwu Local Council of the State.

But the Ebonyi  State Police Command spokesperson Ukandu Joshua, ASP, lauded the swift and timely interventions of security agencies, particularly the military in protecting and restoring normalcy to the area.

The President General of the Community, Dr James Agena, in a statement made  available to the Media, said the  attackers,who struck at about 3.00 am on Sunday, came  from the Ezza axis of the State.

“This is  one attack too many on the peace loving people of Effium. I call on the Government of Ebonyi State and Security Agencies to promptly arrest and prosecute all those involved in these genocidal acts.

This attack came just before the new peace committee’s meeting  billed for Tuesday May 21 2024 ,for the reading of the Government White Paper on the Effium crisis to the warring factions.”Dr Agena noted

The Effium PG stated that a similar attack was carried out last Sunday resulting in the killing of one Mrs Cecelia Omah also by beheading .

“I write to inform  you that this morning (Sunday) around 3.00 am, Ezza warriors attacked Ikachi village in the Akparata area of Effium, resulting in the killing and beheading of two men. Seven Effium natives were abducted (five women and two men), and twelve people sustained gunshot wounds and five houses burnt down .

The deceased are Obinna Aje ,(19) and Ogenyi Abowu (78) .This latest attack follows an Ezza warriors’ attack on Effium urban last Sunday May 12, 2024, where Mrs Cecelia Omah was killed and beheaded ” the Effium PG noted.

The Ebonyi Police Command spokesperson, however,  informed that Police authorities have launched an investigation in to the incident,.

The Source reports that the communal conflict between the two communities have since 2021, led to the loss of many lives and valuables on both sides .