Suspected assailants known as ‘Effium warlords’ have invaded the communities of Effium/Ezza-Effium in Ohaukwu, and part of Ebonyi Local Government Areas of Ebonyi State.
The raid, according to a report by Vanguard, claimed more than 26 lives and destroyed 17 houses in the early hours of Sunday, April 10, affecting villages such as Ohagelede, Umuezeoka, Ebbiaji and Ebbeta, all in Ezza/Effium and part of Ebonyi Local Government Areas of Ebonyi state.
Visiting the affected villages, one could see people in groups mourning their family members killed during the attack.
An eyewitness, Chief Daniel Nwanga from Umuezeoka village, described the incident as it happened in the early hours of Sunday at Ezza villages of Ohagelede, Umuezeoka, Ebbeta and part of Ebonyi Local Government areas. According to him, alleged assailants from Effium invaded the Ezza-speaking side of the community.
“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 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 also 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,” the chief said
