Ebonyi: Group Calls For Prosecution Of Alleged Killers Of Amuda Natives

The Amuda Elites Consultative Forum, a pressure group in Ebonyi State, has called on Gov David Umahi to bring the killers of seventeen natives of Amuda in Effium community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area to book.

THE WHISTLER reports that seventeen persons from the community were allegedly killed while others were wounded by unknown men on November 5, 2021.

The secretary-general of the group, Barnabas Edede, stated this in a release seen by our correspondent in Abakaliki on Thursday. He claimed the perpetrators were from Ezza community of the state.

According to him, “We want to notify you that the Ezza bandits, who invaded Amuda villages of Azuodabara, Onu Eke, Onu Awokoro and Ugwu Aba, and perpetrated the evil act of killing innocent people of Amuda (mostly women and children) in their sleep on the 05/11/21 have been arrested by the Nigeria Police in their hideout at Ohagelode, Effium and currently under detention at the Ebonyi State Police Command headquarters, Abakaliki.

“They are eight in number. Their leader is one Otubo Felix. We hereby call on the police and the Ebonyi State government to ignore request to grant them bail, but to quickly arrest the remaining suspects and charge them to court.

“The divisional police officer, Effium Division, came to the scene of the incident and confirmed the number of casualties. Amuda people in Effium community have been very peaceful since the crisis in Effium community broke out in January this year.

“Ezza bandits in Effium firstly kidnapped three Amuda persons and finally killed them. When they realised their mistake and came to beg our people for forgiveness, we accepted with heavy heart for peace to reign in our dear community.”

Edede called on the law enforcement agencies to arrest the following people who he claimed had links with the incident: Ogonna, Igwe Ogodo, Nwokpo Victor, Aleke Desmond, Hon Awo Chinedu, Azubuike Azadus and Chief Nworie Titus.

He added, “Peace is paramount and non-negotiable. Ebonyi State and the federal government should take the bull by the horns. Financiers of these bandits had already wanted to secure their release at Effium Division. Such must not happen, considering the fact that many lives are at stake.

“The people of Amuda are interested in this case and a petition in this regard had been submitted to the command. We enjoin you to obtain any confirmation from the DPO Effium division, PPRO, or CP Ebonyi State Police Command, as regard these issues on ground.”

The police public relations officer, Ebonyi State, Mrs Loveth Oda, could not be reached for response.

Our correspondent reported that Gov Dave Umahi yesterday suspended construction work on Ebonyi ring roads on the Effium axis over insecurity. An engineering company, Nelan Consultants, working in the area recently reported the missing of its five engineers. The whereabouts of the missing engineers are still unknown.