10 injured as suspected political thugs attack villagers in Ebonyi
No fewer than ten residents of Ndiche Umuomara village, Ndiagu Amagu in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, sustained injuries in a violent incident that erupted in the community.
No fewer than ten residents of Ndiche Umuomara village, Ndiagu Amagu in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, sustained injuries in a violent incident that erupted in the community.
The victims, including Nze Ukwa Nwankwo, Oduge Joseph, Ucha Igwe, Ukwa Simon, and Ejike Nwanchonu, are receiving treatment at various hospitals across the state.
Nze Ukwa Nwankwo, receiving care at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (AE-FUTHA), recounted that he was preparing to attend a meeting called by the traditional ruler when chaos broke out.
He described being attacked by a group of assailants, sustaining injuries including damage to one eye, and losing cash and personal items during the incident.
The victims have petitioned the Ebonyi State Police Command, urging a thorough investigation into the attack to identify and hold the perpetrators accountable.
The community incident reportedly caused significant disruption, with several residents sustaining serious injuries, highlighting ongoing tensions in the area.
He said, "It is our information that these hoodlums armed themselves with dangerous weapons to wit: small guns, axes, locally made guns and other lethal weapons to attacking the members of the village.
"It is our information that the said hoodlums conspired with some soldiers led by the head of the Army in Ikwo and invaded our clients' village and had many beaten to stupor, robbed many, burgled residential apartments, attempted to kill many while the soldiers stood as a cover in the midst of the attack on law abiding members of our clients' village.
"It is our information that the following persons were gravely attacked by the hoodlums in tacit support and protection of the said soldiers. They include; Nze Ukwa Nwankwo, Oduge Joseph,Ucha lgwe,Ukwa Simon and Ejike Nwanchonu of Ndiche Umuomara village, Ndiagu Amagu Ikwo.
"The aforementioned persons are currently hospitalized at different hospitals and clinics owing to the degree of injuries they sustained as a result of the unprovoked attack by the hoodlums who were backed up by the said soldiers.
"It is our information that the aforementioned victims were attacked in the very before of the hired soldiers, had their hands tied at their back while being brutally beaten by the hoodlums. We are informed that the soldiers watched with ease and derided the victims as they ordered them from escaping from the attackers.
"The victims were later handed over to the soldiers who cunningly dropped them off along the way without investigation or handing them over to the police.
"More to our information is that after the attack, arrested and tying of the victims, the said soldiers deserted the scene and the hoodlums went haywire in destroying the property of our clients and other victims of the said attack.
"The hoodlums robbed our clients of five motorbikes and destroyed houses belonging to persons from our clients' village.
"The hoodlums are currently chasing people out of our clients' village and damaging their property. The said assailants are also making conducts likely to breach the existing peace in our clients' village.
"The said miscreants wield all manners of arms and iron rods which they use in attacking people in the village. Some of these hoodlums are all from our clients’ village.
"Our clients' fear that the conduct of the said suspects is capable of causing deep crisis in their village if left unchecked by the law enforcement agents.
"Sir, our clients have suffered untold psychological, physical, economic and financial hardship owing to the criminal conduct of the said hoodlums.
"The crime of attempted murder, malicious damage to property and unlawful possession of arms are grievous ones that demand quick intervention and discreet investigation by your office.
"We therefore pray you, sir, to have our allegations discreetly investigated with a view to bringing the culprits to book", the lawyer wrote.
