Communal clash claims four lives in Enugu community

The Aku community in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State has revealed that four of its youths were killed while searching for three others suspected to have been abducted in a neighboring community.

Community leaders suspect that the Ikolo community, with whom they have an ongoing land dispute, is responsible for the killings.

During a press briefing, the chairman of the Aku General Assembly, Engr. Innocent Okechukwu Diyoke, called on the Enugu State government and security agencies to intervene and protect them from alleged attacks by their neighbors.

Engr. Diyoke, represented by Boniface Nnabuchi Ugwu, expressed regret over the alleged criminal acts of terrorism and murder being committed against their indigens.

“This press briefing is necessary because of the recent disappearance of three Aku youths suspected to have been kidnapped by Ikolo people on their way to seek traditional medical assistance from an Ikolo herbalist, coupled with organized/planned (alleged) killing of four (4) Aku persons on search party for the missing three (3) persons and grievous gun shot/matchet injuries on Aku people by allegedly by Ikolo people in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State.

“The Aku Community in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State feels burdened to inform the world of a dastard act of criminality, terrorism and murder being unleashed on her citizens (allegedly) by the Ikolo community of without cause or provocation.

“On the 1st day of August, 2024, in the evening hours, three young men from Aku, Frank Nnamdi Didigwu, Chibuike Nnadi and Obiora Dugwu went to a well known traditional herbalist from Ikolo to obtain herbal medicine for treatment of one of their mothers who was in a critical heath condition.

“Accounts from one of the victims indicate that on getting to the premises of the traditional herbalist, he put phone call to his sister’s phone, confirming that they have gotten to the residence of the herbalist and awaited their turn to receive attention.

“Shockingly, the three Aku boys (youths) are yet to be seen or their whereabout known and their phones switched off.

“When the three boys could not return or be found, the matter was immediately reported to the police and the Enugu State Government for their necessary action. Friends, family members and Aku youths leadership believing that the missing youths could still be found somewhere, went as a search party for the missing persons.

“Unfortunately, the search party was ambushed (allegedly) by armed Ikolo people and four out of them were shot and killed while scores of them sustained gunshot injuries.

“Recall that in 2016, the Ikolo community (allegedly) unleashed a similar attack on the properties of Aku people and persons as well, wherein four Ikolo people were arrested by a team of police from the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Abuja, prosecuted and subsequently convicted by the court.

“It is pertinent to note that on the 23rd day of May, 2024, the Aku General Assembly (AGA) earlier raised an alarm through Press Conference, warning and informing the world on the body language of Ikolo people to unleash unprovoked mayhem on Aku people.

“Therefore, we are calling on the law enforcement agents and the state to take note of this and come to the aid of Aku Community to protect lives and properties and arrest further degeneration of peace and ensure the rescue of the three missing Aku Youths and bring the culprits to book,” the community said.

When contacted the spokesman of Enugu Police command, DSP Daniel Ndukwe who confirmed the incident said that the security agencies were deployed to the place to restore peace.

“The police and other security forces were deployed to the communities and normalcy has since been restored,”he said.

Sunday Vanguard also contacted the President General of Ikolo community, Mr. Jude Odo but he said he was in the meeting and did not get back to the correspondent as press time.