On December 26,2022, an attack on State All Progressive Congress leader Stanley Emegha killed three Ekoli Edda community members and a police officer.

The Lagos-based businessman accused the Ebonyi State government of failing to stop the killings in the state, especially in Edda (Afikpo South), where known perpetrators of the campaign of violence were let go after each round of killings.

After the latest assassinations, the government created another commission of inquiry despite previous ones that issued recommendations that were ignored.

In the past eight years, the Edda community has reported over 30 cases of murder, arson, rape, serious assault, intimidation, and others. “Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi has again established a committee of inquiry into the December 26, 2022 and January 1, 2023 killings in Ekoli and Amoso Edda. Why is the state government setting up a new commission of inquiry when it deliberately refused to implement previous resolutions and recommendations already made available to him that, perhaps, mentioned the same known actors and perpetrators of numerous political killings in Edda, whom the government deliberately refused to ensure their prosecution because they are well known?” he asked.

The petitioner believed the new commission of inquiry's recommendation might not be implemented. “The most worrisome thing among them is that the state government is aware of these known actors perpetrating these crimes and has continued to play to the gallery, thereby, setting up an inquiry commisson that I seriously suspect will only act on the instruction of the state government thereby freeing the few arrested crime actors in no distant time,” he said.

Thus, he urged the state's Inspector-General of Police and Commissioner of Police to swiftly resolve the current killing of three Edda community members, including an inspector.

A coalition of CSOs had condemned the killings and property devastation in Ekoli Edda, Ebonyi State.

It alleged criminals and misguided youth groups killed numerous innocent community members over the years without state government or law enforcement intervention.

The organisations also urged the Ebonyi State government's committee of inquiry to investigate the community's campaign of violence to expedite action and secure justice and compensation for victims.

The Society for Good Governance, Peace and Justice Forum, and Campaign against Violence condemned the wanton killing of innocent indigenes and destruction of property by thugs linked to politically exposed persons, rival unions, and youth groups in Abuja, despite the presence of many security agencies in the state.

It highlighted the December 20, 2022 attack on State APC Chairman Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha and his convoy at Ekenta Ekoli Edda community of Afikpo Council by Ekoli Youth Vanguard, which killed three people, including an inspector of police, and destroyed millions of naira worth of property.

Bob Elekere and Chinyere Ogbuagu's statement alleged killings have continued without serious punishment. “Many community killings have gone unsolved. "Thugs affiliated to politically exposed personalities and foolish young organizations have ruined the community," the statement said. “Political gladiators have hurt innocent people. Not in this community. The state government should be harsh with the criminals this time. Is God no longer feared? Is our brothers' life worthless? The statement called on the state government's commission of inquiry to ensure justice is done and seen to be done and compensate victims of this endless and disastrous campaign of violence.

Chief Julius Oji, a philanthropist, petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, over 30 Ebonyi community deaths. On December 26,2022, an attack on State All Progressive Congress leader Stanley Emegha killed three Ekoli Edda community members and a police officer.

The Lagos-based businessman accused the Ebonyi State government of failing to stop the killings in the state, especially in Edda (Afikpo South), where known perpetrators of the campaign of violence were let go after each round of killings.

After the latest assassinations, the government created another commission of inquiry despite previous ones that issued recommendations that were ignored.

In the past eight years, the Edda community has reported over 30 cases of murder, arson, rape, serious assault, intimidation, and others. “Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi has again established a committee of inquiry into the December 26, 2022 and January 1, 2023 killings in Ekoli and Amoso Edda. Why is the state government setting up a new commission of inquiry when it deliberately refused to implement previous resolutions and recommendations already made available to him that, perhaps, mentioned the same known actors and perpetrators of numerous political killings in Edda, whom the government deliberately refused to ensure their prosecution because they are well known?” he asked.

The petitioner believed the new commission of inquiry's recommendation might not be implemented. “The most worrisome thing among them is that the state government is aware of these known actors perpetrating these crimes and has continued to play to the gallery, thereby, setting up an inquiry commisson that I seriously suspect will only act on the instruction of the state government thereby freeing the few arrested crime actors in no distant time,” he said.

Thus, he urged the state's Inspector-General of Police and Commissioner of Police to swiftly resolve the current killing of three Edda community members, including an inspector.

A coalition of CSOs had condemned the killings and property devastation in Ekoli Edda, Ebonyi State.

It alleged criminals and misguided youth groups killed numerous innocent community members over the years without state government or law enforcement intervention.

The organisations also urged the Ebonyi State government's committee of inquiry to investigate the community's campaign of violence to expedite action and secure justice and compensation for victims.

The Society for Good Governance, Peace and Justice Forum, and Campaign against Violence condemned the wanton killing of innocent indigenes and destruction of property by thugs linked to politically exposed persons, rival unions, and youth groups in Abuja, despite the presence of many security agencies in the state.

It highlighted the December 20, 2022 attack on State APC Chairman Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha and his convoy at Ekenta Ekoli Edda community of Afikpo Council by Ekoli Youth Vanguard, which killed three people, including an inspector of police, and destroyed millions of naira worth of property.

Bob Elekere and Chinyere Ogbuagu's statement alleged killings have continued without serious punishment. “Many community killings have gone unsolved. "Thugs affiliated to politically exposed personalities and foolish young organizations have ruined the community," the statement said. “Political gladiators have hurt innocent people. Not in this community. The state government should be harsh with the criminals this time. Is God no longer feared? Is our brothers' life worthless? The statement called on the state government's commission of inquiry to ensure justice is done and seen to be done and compensate victims of this endless and disastrous campaign of violence.

(Source: guardian.ng)