Nkechinyere Ewa-Okpara
Suspected political thugs have reportedly attacked Ekoli Edda in the Edda Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, resulting in one death and four injuries.
The attack took place on Sunday, June 1st.
During the attack, according to the report, several houses and properties were also destroyed.
Eyewitnesses reported that over ten thugs carried out the assault.
Chima Oko Obasi, who witnessed the incident, explained that the thugs opened fire on Eni Uduma Chima, the former Chairman of the Local Government and a former member of the House of Assembly, as he was returning from inspecting a torched house belonging to Ama Okoro Ibiam, a Port Harcourt-based businessman.
“Earlier that day, around 10:00 AM on June 1, an initial attack occurred when the body of Okoro Obasi from Ndibom village was being taken to the mortuary. Obasi alleged that the thugs attacked the deceased’s children and their friends, inflicting serious machete wounds on them.
Another eyewitness, Nnachi Ndem, stated, “We were at Mgborokuma when the Catcham boys came and started shooting at us. Three people nearly lost their lives. They have been attacking us ever since our members returned from prison after receiving amnesty from our dear Governor, Francis Nwifuru.”
“Our people are not happy, and we are waiting to see how the government will address this sad incident,” he added, cautioning that the community might resort to self-defence if immediate action is not taken to resolve the situation.
Eni Uduma Chima confirmed the incident, saying, “Yes, I was called from Ekoli-Edda this morning (yesterday) and informed about the death of my uncle, Mr. Okoro Obasi, from Ndibom village, Ekoli-Edda.
The deceased was attacked by thugs known as the Catcham boys. He sustained internal bleeding and died this morning at his home. The reason for the attack was that his son was involved in the amnesty program, and he is related to me.”
Upon receiving the news, Eni quickly left Abakaliki to help de-escalate the brewing tension in the community. “After depositing the body, I inspected the damage done to people’s properties and calmed them down. While inspecting a house that had been set ablaze by the thugs, they launched a shooting attack on me and those with me, shattering the windows of my Prado jeep and injuring three individuals: Chinoyerem Ikwor, Uka Anya Egwu, and Udu Uche.
They sustained varying degrees of bullet wounds and are currently receiving treatment in the hospital,” he said.
Eni called for the swift arrest of those involved to maintain law and order, noting that the individuals troubling the community are fewer than 20. “If the community resorts to self-defense, it will still be labeled violent and heartless. They have been provoking us ever since they were granted amnesty by His Excellency the Governor in March. My supporters have endured self-defence. There is a limit to their patience, and I want the government and the world to be aware of this before the people lose their patience,” he emphasized.
SP Joshua Ukandu, the state Police Public Relations Officer, when contacted confirmed the incident.
He said that while he had not yet received detailed information about the attack, the police command had deployed officers to help calm the situation.