2 Killed, Policeman Injured In Ebonyi Communal Crisis

Ebonyi State police command has confirmed that two persons were shot dead and a police officer injured when Ishinkwo warlords attacked the deceased on their way from work along the Abaomege/Ishinkwo Road in Onicha local government area.

In a statement signed by the police public relations officer, SP Onome Onovwakpoyeya she said the attack followed a renewed communal crisis between the two communities over a protracted land dispute.

She claimed that three persons including a police officer who were returning home after work were shot at the Abaomege-Oshinkwo communal crisis area by “Oshinkwo Warriors”

The victims were rushed to the hospital. Two of the victims were confirmed dead but the policeman is responding to treatment, the police spokesperson said.

She said the state police commissioner, CP Sunday Falaye has called for a manhunt for the fleeing suspects and assured that the perpetrators would be apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law.

A resident of the area who took to his social media handle to alert the public about the violent attack wrote, “avoid Abaomege-Ishinkwo axis today being 6/6/2023. Three people from Ukawu and one person who happens to be my uncle’s wife were shut dead earlier this morning on their way to Abakaliki.”

Another resident who spoke to journalists on grounds of anonymity said despite efforts of the last administration of Governor David Umahi to end the crisis; the people of Isinkwo have not relented in attacking Abaomege community.

Unconfirmed sources say over 200 lives and properties worth billions of Naira have been lost to the unfortunate land dispute since 2020 when the crisis started.

Umahi had in his effort to end the crisis ordered the State Ministry of Lands to take over the disputed land.

The renewed crisis has led to motorist plying the road to take alternative routes while many residents of the both communities fled their homes for fear continues attacks.