Nkechinyere Ewa-Okpara
One Monday, Odah, a resident of Inyafuo village in the Effium autonomous community of the Ohaukwu local government area in Ebonyi State, was reportedly killed by suspected warlords from the Bufor zone.
He was reportedly killed on Thursday at about 8:30 am.
Dr. Agena James, the President-General of the Effium autonomous community, in a statement issued on Friday, revealed that Monday Odah was murdered just twenty-four hours after Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru visited the war-torn Effium community and sued for peace.
During his visit, the governor addressed the community’s elders and urged them to support the state government’s peace initiative.
Dr. Agena noted that Monday Odah was among the detainees released in February after more than four years of incarceration due to the Effium crisis.
He expressed concerns that while the people of Effium continued to strive for peace, Odah’s killing, following the release of Emmanuel Igboke Owuru from prison, raised serious concerns.
“I humbly wish to inform the governor of Ebonyi State about the killing that occurred this morning at around 8:30 AM. Monday Odah was working on his farm in the Inyafuo village area when he was attacked by Ezza warriors. The statement alleged.
“It is particularly distressing that this incident occurred immediately after Governor Nwifuru visited the Effium elders on June 5, 2025. During his address, the governor reiterated his commitment to restoring lasting peace in Effium and promised to facilitate development in the area.
“The killing of Monday Odah is one tragedy too many, especially since he was among those released in February after enduring over four years of detention during the Effium crisis. It is also important to note that the late Monday Odah lost his parents due to this conflict while he was imprisoned.
“Can this resurgence of violence be linked to the controversial release of Emmanuel Igboke Owuru, who, despite committing numerous atrocities during this crisis, was released from correctional facilities without a proper trial?
“The people of Effium will continue to promote peace; however, this recent killing, occurring just a week after Emmanuel Igboke Owuru’s release, raises significant concerns,” the statement concluded.