26 people killed, 17 houses razed in Ebonyi communal attack

The people of Effium/Ezza-Effium in Ohaukwu and part of Ebonyi Local Government Areas of Ebonyi State have been thrown into mourning and confusion, following the invasion of the communities by suspected assailants that claimed more than 26 lives and destroyed 17 houses in the early hours of Sunday, April 10.

The affected villages are Ohagelede, Umuezeoka, Ebbiaji and Ebbeta, all in Ezza/Effium and Ebonyi Local Government areas of state.

People were reportedly seen in groups on Wednesday mourning their family members killed during the attack.

Others were busy relocating members of their families, with properties for fear of further attacks by the suspected assailants.

Chief Daniel Nwanga from Umuezeoka village was quoted by Vanguard as saying the incident happened in the early hours of that day at Ezza villages of Ohagelede, Umuezeoka, Ebbeta and part of Ebonyi Local Government areas, where the assailants invaded the Ezza-speaking side of the community.

Nwanga said the government ordered a ceasefire since two weeks ago, which they obeyed, but that they never knew that their enemies would come to launch another attack.

He said, “In the past three weeks, government has ordered a ceasefire in this community and we agreed to obey, because we don’t disobey any order from the government.

“The assailants came in hundreds and killed four at Ogbabruagu; another four at Ebiaji; another four at Ogbaenyigwe and came to Ebbeta and killed six.

“They went to Izzi-speaking area to trace our people and killed eight there and burnt more than 17 houses.

“The incident happened on Sunday around 6a.m. and they kept operating till 2p.m.

“We called Army people from Nweke Ndiagu, but before they came, the gunmen had already left.

“We counted 26 dead bodies. Government should know that we are law-abiding citizens and should know those who committed these atrocities and those sponsoring them should be arrested and prosecuted.”

Also speaking, Mr. Moses Nwafor from Ebbeta whose wife, step-mother, grandson and younger brother were said to have been killed, stated that he did not know that the war was still ongoing, because there was a ceasefire agreement.

He lamented the loss of four of his family members, including his wife.

“Yesterday (Sunday), I started hearing gunshots from afar. Those warlords from Effium came with matchetes and guns; they killed my wife, my step-mother, my grandson and my younger brother.

“Their burial is ongoing now. Since this incident started, they told us to respect peace talk, which we did but never knew they would come to attack us.”