From Nabob Ogbonna, Abakaliki
One person has been killed and several others injured in renewed violence in Ekoli, Edda Local Government Area of Ebony state.
This incident which occurred on Wednesday is the second time in less than two weeks when similar attack took place in the area.
However, the renewed hostility was a bridge of peace which the people of Edda have enjoyed since two years ago.
The attackers were suspected to be political thugs.
Among those previously targeted in the crisis were a former Chairman of Edda Local Government Area and former House of Assembly member, Dr. Eni Uduma Chima, and his younger brother, Chima Uduma Chima.
Salient Times learnt that the two narrowly escaped death when unknown gunmen opened fire on their SUV which was perforated with bullets.
Recently, both brothers were pronounced persona non grata and allegedly banished from the community for a period of seven years by the community union.
The union in their resolution accused them of instigating communal unrest.
The attack on Wednesday came following the killing of one Udu Nnachi Uzor in Ndenworo village.
According to his wife, Onyinye, who spoke to journalists in a telephone interview, said the assailants—allegedly members of a vigilante group known as Catcham Boys—stormed their residence around noon.
She claimed the attackers were over 20, armed with guns and matchets, walked into their premises, asked for her husband before shooting him dead in their bedroom.
In a related development, a MAC truck belonging to the former state house of Assembly was reportedly hijacked during the previous attack and is yet to be found.
Before 2023 general elections, the state chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Hon. Stanley Emeagha narrowly escaped death when gunmen alleged to be loyal to the former chairman attacked his convey, although the life of his younger brother was lost in the incident.
Police spokesperson, Joshua Ukandu could not be reached for comments at the time of this report.
But 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.
