Community seeks Nigeria’s President Tinubu’s intervention in ex council boss reign of terror

Citizens of Ekoli Edda in Edda Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, South East Nigeria, have raised serious allegations against Barr. Eni Uduma Chima, the former council boss of Edda, and his alleged accomplices.

Accusing them of engaging in acts of terrorism, gun-running, and perpetuating bloodshed within the community, the petitioners have taken their plea for justice to President Bola Tinubu.

Under the collective banner of Concerned Citizens, Ekolites, and Glory of Ekoli Edda, the petitioners, represented by their legal counsel Ogban, Ebenezer & Co., detailed a harrowing account of the community’s plight.

The petition, dated 18th March 2024, paints a grim picture of the community’s struggles, citing a reign of terror that has persisted since 2007, coinciding with Chima’s assumption of power as a member of the Ebonyi House of Assembly.

Central to the allegations is the formation of a purported killer squad by Chima, ominously named ‘Morekanbedone’, which the petition accuses of orchestrating violence against innocent civilians and perceived adversaries.

The petitioners, having endured the loss of over 30 lives, implore President Tinubu to intervene and put an end to the cycle of violence that has plagued their community.

Furthermore, the petition calls for the apprehension of Uduma Chima, holding him accountable for his alleged role in the spate of killings that have marred the community during his 15-year tenure, spanning across the administration of former Governor Dave Umahi.

Despite the grave accusations leveled against him, Chima has refuted the claims, attributing them to political machinations while asserting his popularity among the populace.

This distressing narrative of violence and insecurity in Ekoli Edda is not a recent development.

Last year, the community lodged complaints with the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the Department of State Security (DSS) regarding the persistent bloodshed within the locality, resulting in tragic fatalities and widespread destruction.

The petition also sheds light on the involvement of Chief Julius Oji, who, in a separate plea to the Inspector-General of Police, highlighted the tragic loss of over 30 lives in the Ebonyi Community.

The community’s anguish was further compounded by the tragic events of December 26, 2022, which saw the brutal killing of three Ekoli Edda natives and a police inspector during an assault on Mr. Stanley Emegha, the Chairman of the All Progressive Congress in Ebonyi State.

Notably, Chima’s alleged role in orchestrating the surrender of a cache of arms by the gang, as well as the subsequent call for the Nigerian Army to secure the remaining weapons, underscores the gravity of the situation.

The petition paints a grim picture of gun-running, terrorism, and bloodshed in Ekoli Edda, attributing these heinous acts to Chima and his associates, the Morekanbedone Killer Squad.

As the community grapples with the specter of violence and intimidation, the petitioners appeal to the Nigerian Army to dismantle the remnants of the armed group, some of whom are suspected of affiliating with the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB).

The cache of surrendered weapons, including AK-47 rifles, rocket launchers, dynamites, and hand grenades, serves as a stark reminder of the perils faced by the community.

In conclusion, the petitioners beseech the President to heed their call for justice and to address the grave injustices perpetrated against the people of Ekoli Edda.

The allegations of terrorism, bloodshed, and the erosion of traditional institutions demand urgent attention and decisive action to restore peace and security to the beleaguered community.

As the quest for accountability and justice unfolds, the fate of Ekoli Edda hangs in the balance, awaiting a resolution that upholds the principles of justice and safeguards the well-being of its inhabitants.

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