Family seeks return of son missing in Ebonyi-Abia clash
An Amagu Ishiagu man in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Mr Abel Ogbonnaya, has pleaded with the Inspector General of Police, Tunji Egbetokun, the governors of Abia and Ebonyi states to speed up actions and effect the release of their son or his corpse if found dead.
Ogbonnaya had while addressing the press in Umuahia, disclosed that since March 5, 2024, following a land dispute between Kingdom College, Ozuabam in Arochukwu Local Government Area and Ndiokorie Abam community in the same council, the whereabouts of his brother, David Ogbonnaya, is yet to be known.
The family, represented by Abel Ogbonnaya, stated that their son’s disappearance was in the aftermath of an attack by some youths of Ndiokorie Abam community, who invaded the school’s farm, and since then, David is yet to be seen.
Abel said during the attack, about eight students of the institution, who were working on their school farm, went missing, stating that following the intervention of security agencies, six were released and the corpse of another was recovered, but his brother, who was 30 years of age then was missing and yet to be found, adding that the corpse recovered by the Nigerian Army team from Ohafia was that of another student from Awkuzu in Anambra State.
He said that his family, with the support of the traditional ruler of Amagu, Eze Dominic Alo, had written a letter to Governor Francis Nwifuru and also drawn the attention of the member representing Amagu in the House of Representatives, Chunedu Oga, seeking their supports in finding his brother, alive or dead, adding that the Majority Leader of Abia State House of Assembly, Uchenna Kalu, who represents Arochukwu state constituency, various security agencies in Abia and other concerned authorities are aware of his family’s travails in searching for their missing son, but have not done much on it.
Abel further disclosed that a Police officer from the Force Headquarters, Abuja who came to investigate the matter was also not spared the agony, as he was given deep machete wounds by the Ndiokorie Abam youths, who kidnapped him, before he was later rescued by officers from the 14 Brigade Nigerian Army, Ohafia.
Abel further stated that the member representing Arochukwu/Ohafia federal constituency at the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ibe Okwara Osonwa, and his Ebonyi counterpart, Rt. Hon. Chinedu Ogah, representing Ezza South/Ikwo federal constituency, the chairman of Abia State Traditional Rulers Council, Linus Nto, his Ebonyi counterpart, the traditional ruler of Amagu, Eze Dominic Alo and the Majority Leader of Abia State House of Assembly, Uchenna Kalu are all in the know of the matter.
Abel pleaded with the IGP, Abia and Ebonyi governors, “Since March 5, 2024, our son is still missing. We are appealing to Governors Alex Otti and Francis Nwifuru, the Police and all concerned authorities to help us in locating our son’s whereabouts, dead or alive.”
When contacted, the Force Public Relations Officer, PPRO, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said investigation teams exist at the Force Headquarters and are yet to comment on that, while the spokesperson of Abia State Police Command, ASP Maureen Chinaka said if the matter is already with the Force Headquarters, then it is beyond the state command, assuring to investigate.
In his reaction when contacted, Rt. Hon. Uche Ogah said he was waiting for more details of the matter, assuring that he would liaise with his Abia State counterpart to sort out the matter.
All efforts to get the reaction of the chairman of the Abia State Traditional Rulers Council, Linus Nto, were futile as he was not picking up calls put across to him.
However, the Majority Leader of Abia State House of Assembly, Uchenna Kalu, confirmed the incident to journalists on Monday, stating that the land dispute between Kingdom College and the Ndi Okorie community started over fifteen years ago, adding that both the people of Ndi Okorie and students of Kingdom College reported that they were attacked during the March 5 clash.
He noted that he had brought the matter to the knowledge of Abia State Deputy Governor, Ikechuckwu Emetu who is in charge of boundary matters, visited the injured victims from both sides and also organised peace and security meeting to douse the tension.
