Group demands arrest of killers of 17 Ebonyi natives, urges Buhari, Umahi to probe incident

Group demands arrest of killers of 17 Ebonyi natives, urges Buhari, Umahi to probe incident

Nnachi, E.C, Abakaliki

A group, Amuda Elites Consultative Forum, on Wednesday, urged the Federal Government led by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rted) and the Ebonyi State Government, led by Engr David Umahi, to as a matter of urgency look into the plights of the people of Amuda village, Effium community, in the Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state and ensure that the perpetrators of the alleged killing of 17 natives in the area, were brought to book.

Recall that 17 persons were reportedly killed and several others severely injured at Amuda, by suspected hoodlums, on Friday, November 5, 2021, thus causing panic and displacement in the area.

According to the group, it would amount to a case of impartiality and injustice on the part of the security agencies to grant bail to eight of the 14 suspects already arrested in connection to the alleged killing, appealing to the Governments to forestall that such didn’t happen.

The Secretary-General of Amuda Elites Consultatives Forum, Engr. Edede Barnabas, stated this during an emergency press conference, in Abakaliki, on Wednesday.

He said, “Good day, gentlemen of the press, We welcome you once again to this emergency press conference with regard to the massacre of 17 innocent people of Amuda, Effium Community on the 05/11/21.

“We want to notify you that the Ezza bandits, who invaded Amuda villages of Azuodabara, Onu Eke, Onu Awokoro and Ugwu Aba, and perpetrated the evil act of killing innocent people of Amuda (mostly women and children) in their sleep on the 05/11/21 have been arrested by the Nigerian Police in their hideout at Ohagelode, Effium and currently under detention at the Ebonyi State Police Command Headquarters, Abakaliki.

“They are eight in numbers and their leader is by name Mr Otubo Felix. We hereby call on the Police and Ebonyi State Government to ignore any attempt or request to grant them bail, but to quickly arrest the remaining suspects and charge them to court for prosecution in accordance with the gravity of the offence committed. The DPO Effium Division, came to the scene of the incident and confirmed the number of casualties.

“It’s worthy of note, that Amuda people in Effium community, have been very peaceful indeed before, and since the crisis in Effium community brokeout in January this year. As the Ezza bandits in Effium firstly kidnapped three Amuda persons and finally killed them. When they realised their mistake and came to beg our people for forgiveness, we accepted with heavy heart, in order for peace to reign in our dear community.

“The following bandits should be declared wanted and arrested urgently in connection with the massacre; Ogonna, Igwe Ogodo, Nwokpo Victor, Aleke Desmond, Hon Awo Chinedu, Azubuike Azadus and Chief Nworie Titus.

“Peace is paramount and non-negotiable, So the Ebonyi State and Federal Governments should be bold and take the bull by the horns. Financiers of these bandits had already wanted to secure their release at Effium Division. Such must not happen, considering the fact that many lives are at stake.

“The people of Amuda are interested in this case and a petition in this regard had been submitted to the Command since yesterday (Tuesday), while waiting for our counsel to swing into action. We enjoin you to obtain any confirmation from the DPO Effium division, PPRO, or CP Ebonyi State Police Command, as regard these issues on ground.

“In order to compliment the efforts of Ebonyi State government and security agencies , Anyone who attempt to bail them must be detained because they are conspirators on the crime against humanity. Between yesterday (Tuesday) and today (Wednesday), the names and pictures of those 17 persons killed had been made available to the PPRO and CP on their demand.

“We will follow up keenly till they are finally prosecuted and face the consequences of such evil acts.”