- A man behe@ded in Ebonyi community sparking outrage and concern.
- Communal clash in Ebonyi results in fatalities and destruction.
- Herdsmen attack leaves community in mourning and disarray.
- Government intervention sought to restore peace and security.
One Godwin Odah, a resident of Akparata village in the Effium autonomous community of Ebonyi State, was brutally murdered by suspected warlords.
The attackers beheaded Odah and mutilated other parts of his body in the back of his compound in Akparata village.
This horrific event took place amid efforts by Governor Francis Nwifuru to restore peace in the community, which included granting amnesty to 159 detainees arrested during the four-year-long intra-communal conflict that erupted in Effium in 2021.
Dr. Agena James, the President-General of Effium Town Union, confirmed the murder and reported the incident to Governor Nwifuru, expressing shock that such violence could occur despite the government’s attempts to foster peace.
Dr. James urged for the swift arrest and prosecution of those responsible for this brutal act, stressing that the Ezza-Effium people are undermining the peace process.
He also mentioned that the victim’s head, one hand, and a leg were barbarically severed. The release of detainees was part of the Ebonyi State government’s initiative to restore peace in the community prior to Godwin Odah’s murder.
In response to the incident, ASP Joshua Ukandu, the Ebonyi State Police Spokesperson, stated that the command was not aware of the attack or the killing.
Governor Nwifuru had previously secured a commitment from stakeholders of both Effium and Ezza-Effium to prevent a return to conflict following the release of detainees. This recent murder raises serious concerns about the fragility of peace in the Effium community and the ongoing challenges in maintaining order despite the state government’s efforts.
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