A couple, Mr. Ndukwe Okoroafor, aged 55, and his wife, Paulina Ndukwe, aged 49 from Ekoli Edda, in Afikpo South local government, area have been slaughtered by Invaders from Cross River State.

 

Ebonyi police command has confirmed the incident, adding that five persons from the local government area, were also abducted.

 

According the command’s spokesperson, DSP Loveth Odah, there have been an aged long communal clash between the people of Ekoli Edda and their counterparts from Baise local government area of Cross River State, over ownership of a palm plantation at the boundary.

 

She said the police received a distress call on June 30, at about 4pm, that gunmen from Baise local government, attacked some villagers from Ekoli Edda at Erei Palm Plantation located at the boundary between the two local government areas.

 

Odah said her men swung into action and with the help of an eyewitness, one Kalu Ndukwe, who escaped with bullet wounds, they were able to rescue other victims.

 

 

 

Those allegedly abducted by the Cross Riverians have been identified as Mrs. Elizabeth Ikwo, Mrs. Esther Ikwo, Mrs Chinechere Nnachi, Mrs. Ogbonna Aku and Mr. Sunday Ogbuu Ama.

 

The spokesperson stated that the victims were taken to unknown destination together with the corpses of Mr. and Mrs. Ndukwe Okoroafor.

 

She said the state police Commissioner, CP Philip Maku, has ordered a full scale investigation into the matter, and have cautioned Ekoli Edda residents not to take laws into their hands.

 

Odah added, “The Commissioner of Police while condemning this hideous and barbaric act has dispatched a combined team of Policemen and soldiers to the area with a view to rescue the abducted persons unhurt and arrest the perpetrators of the heinous crime.

 

“Furthermore, the CP has enjoined residents of the Area especially the youths, to maintain peace, avoid taking laws into their hands or acting in ways that could jeopardize investigation into the matter. He has also made it clear that the Command under his watch will leave no stone unturned to bring the culprits of the heinous crime to book.

 

“Meanwhile, preliminary investigation revealed that the attack was as result of resurgence of the long-standing communal feud between the people of Ekoli Edda in Afikpo South LGA of Ebonyi State and Biase LGA of Cross River State, over a Palm Plantation.

 

”To this end, the good people of Ebonyi State have been enjoined to remain law abiding and assist the Police with credible information that will lead to the arrest of the culprits by reporting to the nearest police station or call the command’s emergency hotlines.

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