Ikolo community in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State, Monday, has appealed to governments at all levels to come to their aid following an alleged invasion and killing of some natives of the community by their neighbouring community of Aku, also in Igbo-Etiti.
The President General of Ikolo community, Chief Jude Okike Odo, told newsmen that media reports claiming that his community attacked Aku community, resulting in some casualties a few days ago, were false, misleading and an attempt to twist the truth
According to Odo, “The attention of Ikolo Elders’ Forum and Ikolo General Assembly has been drawn to the invasion of Ikolo community by the youths from Aku community. It is very unfortunate. Ikolo community is a law-abiding community.”
He traced the root of the problem to a land dispute, which he said the state government had agreed to intervene.
He, however, said the state government not being proactive had led to avoidable casualties on the side of his community.
He said, “There was an allegation against one Chibueze Anidobi, a herbalist from Ikolo, by some people from Aku.
“It was alleged that three persons from Aku, who claimed to have gone to Chibueze’s house to get medicine to treat their sick relative, could not be found since August 2, 2024 after their trip to his house.
“It was reported to Ogbede Police Station, and Anidobi was detained. To exonerate himself from the police, the herbalist paid N300, 000 to Ogbede Police Station to track the phone numbers of the missing persons.
“While the tracking was ongoing, some youths from Aku invaded Ogbede Police Station, insisting that Chibueze must be released to them.
“The police refused. Aku people, while returning, invaded Ikolo, killing one Mmesoma Omeke, who was at her uncle’s house. She was shot and killed.
“The matter was reported to the commissioner of police by HRH Igwe Gabriel Ezugwu.
“The divisional police officer, when contacted, told us that he sent some men, but they were waiting for reinforcement because of the crowd.”
On how the matter degenerated, the PG said, “We have been calling on the state government to come because land dispute is causing the problem.
“The deputy governor intervened, but they are yet to come to demarcate the land as they promised. This killing is getting too much. Our lives are in danger.
“On March 25th of this year, one Felix Odo, from Ikolo, was killed by the same group. On May 18, Maduabuchi Ude was shot and killed at Amete. Amaka Ezugwu was shot and currently receiving treatment.
“The state should rescue us. Aku people are larger than we are. They want to extinct us. They should come before it is too late.”
He claimed that Ikolo community had never initiated attacks against Aku community, adding that the two communities were peaceful and inter-marrying until the land dispute erupted.
“It is unfortunate on how Aku youths and leaders of thought couldn’t wait for the police to finish their investigation and rather resort to killing of Ikolo people.
“The reasons are simple, they are more than us in number, wealth and influence. We need to be protected, otherwise the Ikolo we know today, shall be seen no more,” he added.
We’re going into extinction – Enugu community cries out
