Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
The Coordinator of Oshiri Development Centre in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Agu Opu Odefa, has petitioned the state Commissioner of Police over what he described as a violent attempt on his life by suspected cultists.
In a petition dated September 29, 2025, and signed by his counsel, Barr. S.U. Ununu of Ununu & Ununu (Big Bird Chambers), Odefa alleged that on Saturday, September 27, at about 10 p.m., a group of armed men launched a deadly attack on him at Panna Hotels, Oshiri.
The petition named the suspects as Chinenye Okoro (alias Weobe/Importer), Chijioke Elom (alias Dealer), Tochukwu Isaiah (alias Politics), and others.
Odefa claimed that the attackers tried to kidnap him and force him onto one of the motorcycles they rode to the scene. When he resisted, they allegedly inflicted multiple machete and axe cuts on him before he managed to escape.
He was said to have sustained serious injuries and is currently receiving treatment in a hospital.
Barr. Ununu further stated that the assailants also destroyed Odefa’s official vehicle, valued at ₦70 million, during the incident.
“The suspects threatened to kill and kidnap our client on the date of the incident, which they attempted to execute. Our client, who narrowly escaped with his life, is still in hospital receiving treatment,” the petition partly read.
The legal team urged the police command to order the arrest and prosecution of the suspects for alleged conspiracy, attempted kidnap and murder, armed robbery, cultism, and malicious damage to government property.
As of the time of filing this report, police authorities were yet to issue an official response to the petition.
