I’m Behind Police Arrest Of Ohanaeze Youth President Igboayaka, Says Ebonyi Coordinator
The attack left at least 16 people dead and several houses razed.
Mr. Emmanuel Emeka Odanwu, the Coordinator of Ishielu North Development Centre, has confirmed that he petitioned the Ebonyi State Command of the Nigeria Police Force to arrest the National President of the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, over his statement on the recent deadly attacks in the state.
Speaking at a press briefing at the ALGON office in Abakaliki, Odanwu said he formally petitioned the police on February 5, 2025, requesting an investigation into Igboayaka’s statements concerning the February 2, 2025, suspected herdsmen attack on Amagu village in Nkalaha community, Ishielu Local Government Area of the state.
The attack left at least 16 people dead and several houses razed.
SaharaReporters previously reported that Igboayaka, in a statement issued after the herdsmen attack, mentioned that the Directorate of Intelligence of the OYC had raised an alarm and warned state governor Francis Nwifuru about the potential attack four days before the violent incident by suspected herdsmen in Amegu Nkalagha community.
In his statement, Igboayaka said, “Our findings indicated that Fulani herdsmen are expanding their presence in Ebonyi State, posing a significant threat of additional attacks if Governor Nwifuru remains inactive, and that it may lead to further loss of lives in the state.”
“Unfortunately, we have governors in South-East who are perceived as uncooperative regarding insecurity, demonstrating a lackadaisical attitude which has led to frequent incidents of killings, kidnapping, banditry, and arson in South-East.
“Evidently, Gov. Francis Nwifuru has been ineffective in ensuring the safety of lives and properties in Ebonyi, raising concerns about his capacity, ability, and dedication to resolving the Fulani Herdsmen violence in Ebonyi State.
“We trust that Governor Francis Nwifuru and his team will carefully examine the various locations mentioned in the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) press statement issued at Abakaliki on 29th January 2025,” he added.
On Monday, SaharaReporters reported that the Ebonyi State Police Command confirmed that Igboayaka was arrested following a petition submitted to the state police commissioner.
The police said the petitioner accused Igboayaka of spreading false information capable of truncating peace and destabilising communities in the state.
The police statement came two days after Igboayaka was reported to have been abducted by gunmen on Saturday night at Ochez Suites, Works Layout, Owerri, Imo State capital.
He was abducted shortly after he was declared the winner of the OYC presidential election at the Council’s national convention.
Odanwu confirmed that Igboayaka had issued a public statement on January 31, 2025, warning residents of Obeagu, Nkalaha, and Egedegede to strengthen their security networks due to an impending attack.
He noted that just two days later, the attack on Amagu occurred, raising concerns about how Igboayaka had prior knowledge of the tragic incident.
Odanwu stressed that his petition was not a personal attack, but a necessary step to assist security agencies in uncovering the truth.
He further highlighted that Igboayaka, in a subsequent statement, claimed to have informed the Ebonyi State Governor about the impending attack four days in advance.
This, he said, raised suspicions that Igboayaka might have crucial information about the perpetrators.
“We strongly believe he knows a lot that needs to be shared with security agencies,” Odanwu said.
He added that his petition was driven by a concern for public safety, especially since the other communities mentioned by Igboayaka—Obeagu and Egedegede—are within the Ishielu North Development Centre and remain on high alert.
He said since Igboayaka’s “first prediction came true, our people are apprehensive and scared of the unknown”.
“We took the lawful path of involving the police so he can share the same intelligence he claimed to have given the Governor,” he said.
