Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
One person has been confirmed dead, with several others injured, following renewed violence in Ekoli, Edda Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The latest incident, which occurred on Wednesday, has further heightened tensions in the area, already on edge after a series of violent attacks allegedly perpetrated by suspected political thugs.
A similar attack last month claimed a life and destroyed property worth millions of naira. Among those previously targeted were a former Chairman of Edda LGA and ex-member of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Dr. Eni Uduma Chima, and his younger brother, Chima Uduma Chima. The two narrowly escaped an assassination attempt when gunmen riddled their SUV with bullets.
In the aftermath, both brothers were declared persona non grata and allegedly banished from the community for seven years by some residents, who accused them of fueling the unrest.
The tension escalated again on Wednesday when a man identified as Udu Nnachi Uzor was killed in Ndenworo village. His wife, Onyinye Uzor, told journalists via a telephone interview that the attackers—believed to be members of a local vigilante group known as Catcham Boys—stormed their home around noon, asking for her husband before shooting him dead in their bedroom.
“He was shot by one of the Catcham members known as Deri. His body has been deposited in the morgue,” she alleged.
A community leader, Etta Egor, condemned the killing, describing the vigilante group’s activities as a growing threat to peace and security in the area.
“We saw them moving through the villages armed with pump-action rifles, accompanied by soldiers and policemen. Not long after, we heard gunshots. When we got to Nnachi Uzor’s house, he was already dead. His wife and children were in tears,” Egor recounted.
“We are baffled by the government’s silence while innocent youths are being targeted and killed. What has Ekoli done to deserve this?”
In a related development, a MAC truck belonging to Mr. Eni Uduma Chima was reportedly hijacked during the previous attack and remains missing.
The community has called on the Ebonyi State Government and security agencies to intervene urgently to prevent further bloodshed and restore peace to Ekoli-Edda.
Police spokesperson, Joshua Ukandu, could not be reached for comments at the time of filing this report.
