Tension has escalated in Ekoli, Edda Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, following the killing of a man and injuries to several others in an attack allegedly carried out by a local vigilante group known as Catcham Boys.
In this unconfirmed report, the latest violence occurred on Wednesday, claiming the life of Udu Nnachi Uzor in Ndenworo village, deepening fear among residents already shaken by previous clashes in the community.
According to eyewitnesses, the attackers, numbering about 20 and reportedly accompanied by armed soldiers and policemen, stormed the residence of the deceased around midday. The victim’s wife, Onyinye, who witnessed the attack, recounted the horrifying moment in a phone interview.
“They came heavily armed and asked after my husband,” she said. “They entered the room and shot him. It was one of the Catcham members, known as Deri, who pulled the trigger. My husband’s body has been taken to the morgue.”
The incident follows a wave of violence in Ekoli-Edda that started last month, allegedly triggered by political rivalry. One person was previously killed, and property worth millions of naira was destroyed.
A former Chairman of the Local Government and ex-member of the State House of Assembly, Dr. Eni Uduma Chima, and his younger brother, Chima Uduma Chima, narrowly escaped death during that attack. Their SUV was riddled with bullets.
In the aftermath of that incident, some members of the community announced the banishment of the brothers for seven years, accusing them of allegedly fueling communal unrest. The banishment itself stoked further tension in the area.
Community leader Chief Etta Egor condemned the activities of the Catcham Boys, accusing the group of “causing unnecessary tension” in Ekoli-Edda.
“We saw them moving into the villages with pump-action rifles and security personnel. Later, gunshots rang out, and by the time we got to Udu Nnachi’s house, he was already dead. His family was in tears. We’re asking: what has Ekoli done to deserve this kind of constant violence?” he queried.
Sources in the community also allege that a MAC Truck belonging to Dr. Eni Uduma Chima was hijacked by the attackers and remains missing.
At the time of this report, security agencies have yet to release an official statement on the incident.