In a brutal attack early Sunday morning, gunmen invaded the Ikachi, Akparata Community in Effium, Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, beheading two individuals and abducting seven others. The attack, which occurred around 3 a.m., has left the community in shock and fear.
Residents suspect the assailants are warlords from the neighboring Ezza Community, which has been embroiled in a deadly conflict with their Uffiom neighbors within the Effium clan for several years. This ongoing dispute has resulted in numerous fatalities, the displacement of hundreds, and the destruction of properties worth billions of naira.
Victims Identified
Charles Ogbu, a local resident, identified the victims of the latest violence as 19-year-old Obinna Aje and 78-year-old Ogenyi Abowu. Another resident, who requested anonymity, reported that the gunmen also kidnapped seven individuals – five females and two males – during the attack.
“They also burnt down more than 10 residential houses. Some people have run away out of fear,” the resident disclosed, adding that several others sustained gunshot injuries.
Police Response
Ebonyi State Police spokesperson, Deputy Superintendent of Police Joshua Ukandu, confirmed the killings and abductions. “Immediately the incident happened, we dispatched a team of policemen to the place. So, security has already been beefed up in the area,” Ukandu said.
He assured that police operatives have launched an operation to track down the perpetrators of the heinous act.
Recent Violence
The latest attack comes just weeks after gunmen targeted Inikiri, a village in the Ezza Effium Community, resulting in the deaths of 11 people, including a pregnant woman. The persistent violence has left communities in the region on edge, with many residents fleeing their homes in search of safety.
As authorities intensify efforts to restore peace and security, the people of Effium and surrounding areas continue to grapple with the devastating impact of this ongoing conflict.