Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has declared the banishment of former Chairman of Edda Local Government Area, Dr. Eni Uduma Chima, and his younger brother, Uduma Chima, by the town union of their community as null and void.
Speaking on Friday during a meeting with the warring factions at the Government House in Abakaliki, the Governor said the action by the town union violated the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The banishment cannot stand because it contravenes the provisions of the Constitution. We disagree with it on that ground alone,” Nwifuru stated.
Edda community, located in the volatile Edda LGA of the state, has been plagued by persistent violence stemming from political power tussles. In the past two months, the area has witnessed multiple killings, maimings, and destruction of property worth millions of naira.
The latest incident occurred on Wednesday when Udu Nnachi Uzor was reportedly shot dead by gunmen at his residence. His wife, Onyinye—who is nursing a two-month-old baby—alleged that a member of a local political gang known as the Catcham Boys, identified as Deri, was responsible for her husband’s murder.
Before Uzor’s killing, the town union and some local stakeholders had declared Eni and Uduma Chima banished from the community for seven years. They also imposed a fine of ₦106 million, to be paid upon the expiration of the banishment.
The banishment, however, only escalated tensions within the crisis-ridden community.
Visibly angered by the deteriorating situation, Governor Nwifuru not only nullified the banishment but also disbanded all armed factions operating in the area, including the Catcham Boys, Trigger-Happy Boys, and Amnesty Boys.
“No civilian, regardless of status, is permitted to bear arms,” he warned. “Anyone found with weapons will be dealt with according to the law.”
He further ordered that Eni’s MAC truck, allegedly diverted to an unknown location, be located and returned to him by the community.
All warring groups were directed to collapse their structures under the authority of the town union leadership and the traditional ruler of the community.
The Governor also approved the reactivation of the Ekoli Police Post, as recommended by Eni, to enhance security and restore order in the troubled area.
