Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
Hundreds of youths, men, and women from Amata-Akpoha Community in Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State on Wednesday staged a peaceful protest over the alleged incessant abductions and killings of their indigenes by suspected Amasiri warlords.
The protesters converged at Akpoha Junction along the busy Afikpo–Abakaliki Expressway, bringing traffic to a standstill for more than six hours. Commuters and motorists travelling to Abia, Imo, and Cross River states were forced to take alternative routes due to the blockade.
The protest comes amid a long-standing communal crisis between Amata-Akpoha and the neighbouring Amasiri Community, rooted in a protracted land dispute that has reportedly claimed several lives and led to widespread destruction of property.
During the demonstration, protesters chanted sorrowful songs and displayed placards with inscriptions such as: “Enough of the abduction of our people by Amasiri warlords,” “Amasiri warlords must stop killing our men,”
“Governor Nwifuru should urgently intervene,” and “State government, please end the killing of our people.”
Speaking to journalists, the National Secretary of the Amata-Akpoha Youth Assembly, John Ogbonnaya Ele, said the most recent incident occurred on January 26, 2026, when some community members went into the bush to cut timber for a resident identified as Mr. Simon.
“While they were in the bush, Amasiri warlords invaded the area, attacked them, and seized their working tools,” Ele alleged.
“We contacted their traditional ruler, who promised to intervene, but there was no response until the following morning,” he added.
Ele further claimed that on January 27, another indigene, Augustine Ugballa Ite, who had gone to fetch firewood, was abducted and has remained missing since then.
“From January 26 till date, we do not know his whereabouts. We fear he may have been killed, just like others abducted in the past. Our people are attacked on their farms, their produce seized, and they are chased away by these warlords,” he said.
According to him, four persons from the community were abducted in August last year and remain unaccounted for, adding that no fewer than eight indigenes of Amata-Akpoha have allegedly been abducted and killed in recent years.
“The pain of losing our youths and women pushed us to the streets. We have written petitions and reached out through stakeholders, but nothing has changed. We can no longer keep quiet,” Ele stated.
Reacting to the situation, the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police, CP Adaku Uche-Anya, and the member representing Afikpo West State Constituency in the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Kingsley Ikoro, urged both communities to embrace peace and dialogue.
The CP made the call during a stakeholders’ meeting involving representatives of Amata-Akpoha and Amasiri communities, advising all parties to shun violence while awaiting the state government’s intervention on boundary adjustments.
A statement signed by the state Police spokesperson, Joshua Ukandu, said the meeting was convened following a series of incidents, including the seizure of a logging machine and a motorcycle belonging to an Akpoha indigene during a logging operation.
The statement also referenced the alleged abduction of Augustine Ite and the subsequent blockade of the Abakaliki–Afikpo Expressway, which was later reopened after police intervention.
“Also discussed was the abduction of a female police officer alongside four other persons by Akpoha youths. All have since been released,” the statement added.
According to the police, Akpoha stakeholders admitted that the abduction of the female officer was a reaction to the seizure of their logging machine and motorcycle, as well as the alleged abduction of Augustine Ite, whom they claimed remains missing.
CP Uche-Anya reprimanded the Akpoha community for resorting to self-help instead of reporting the matter to the police, warning that such actions would not be tolerated.
She expressed disappointment over the conduct of youths from both communities and cautioned that further violence would attract the full weight of the law.
The meeting was adjourned to Friday, January 30, 2026, with a directive to Amasiri stakeholders to produce those responsible for the seizure of the logging equipment and ensure the release of the abducted person.
On his part, Mr. Ikoro, who also serves as the Leader of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, assured residents that the state government is committed to arresting and prosecuting those behind the alleged abductions.
He commended the Akpoha community for calling off the road blockade, noting that prolonged communal conflict inflicts deep physical and psychological harm, especially on children.
“Deaths arising from conflict are only the visible part of the damage. The long-term consequences are far more devastating,” Ikoro said.
He urged residents to continue supporting the peace initiatives of Governor Francis Nwifuru, stressing that the current administration is determined to build a peaceful and united Ebonyi State.
