Two beheaded, 7 kidnapped in Ebonyi communal clash

Two persons were killed and beheaded while seven others were abducted by suspected Ezza warriors in Ikachi Akparata village in Effium, Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

Five houses were also reportedly burnt in the area when the warriors attacked the community in the early hours of Sunday, May 19, 2024.

Ezza and Effium communities have been enmeshed in deadly clashes since 2021, with many lives lost and properties worth billions of naira destroyed. 

About two weeks ago, suspected fighters attacked Inikiri Umuezeoka in the community and killed eleven people, including a pregnant woman, children between ages of two and 12, elderly men and women and burnt 30 houses. 

The spokesperson for the State Police Command, DSP Joshua Ukandu, who confirmed the incident said that the assailants also destroyed property worth millions of naira in the area. 

He said that the police have been working with other security agencies to restore peace into the area and to also ascertain the cause of the latest flare-up of communal clashes in the area.

“We are aware of the attack and the command is on top of the situation. We have been working with other security agencies to ensure that peace returned to the area,” the PPRO said. 

“The command is also investigating the attack to ascertain the root cause of the matter.” 

The police spokesman said that officers and men of the command were committed to the protection of lives and property in the state.