A prominent activist lawyer, Maduabuchi Idam, has issued an urgent appeal to Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru, calling for immediate intervention in the escalating violence against Amasiri community residents. In an open letter, Idam detailed a series of deadly attacks allegedly perpetrated by neighboring communities, particularly from Edda.
According to the lawyer, multiple Amasiri indigenes have been killed, abducted, or injured in what appears to be coordinated attacks aimed at annexing their ancestral lands. The situation has reportedly deteriorated to the point where Amasiri residents can no longer access their farmlands or travel safely on major highways.
Recent Attacks Detailed
The letter highlighted several recent incidents, including the June 19 abduction of Charles Chukwu, a retired Senior Warrant Officer of the Nigerian Army, along with his wife Beatrice and a companion, Mrs. Mary Okpara. The three were reportedly taken by armed individuals while gathering cassava stems on their farm.
"Your Excellency, the whereabout of these innocent citizens remains unknown, despite the incident being reported to the police, and not even a suspect has been arrested for questioning till date," Idam wrote.
In another incident, Mr. Sampson Okpara, a teacher at Ozaraokangwu Primary School from Agbo-ogo Ihie Amasiri, was reportedly killed by what Idam described as the "Edda murderous Militia."
The lawyer also mentioned a May 17 attack where Amasiri residents working in their rice paddies were fired upon, with many sustaining bullet wounds.
Governor's Alleged Bias Questioned
In his letter, Idam suggested that Governor Nwifuru's own actions may have inadvertently encouraged the violence. He referenced a May 5 "Peace Meeting" where the governor allegedly expressed resentment toward Amasiri communities for not supporting him in the 2023 election.
"Your Excellency in that supposed 'Peace Meeting', ignored the subject matter and descended stiffly on Amasiri Communities for not voting him in 2023 election, conveying the impression that aggressors who voted him was unlikely to do wrong," the letter stated.
Idam further claimed that the governor threatened to "invade Amasiri communities" should they retaliate against attacks and directed them to withdraw a court case regarding land ownership disputes.
Urgent Requests for Intervention
The activist lawyer made several specific requests of the governor, including:
Ordering the release of all Amasiri indigenes in Edda captivity
Expediting the ongoing boundary identification process
Arresting and prosecuting perpetrators of the attacks
Issuing a state broadcast ensuring equal security for Amasiri residents
Idam also warned of a "disturbing, sinister plan" by aggressors to carry out a massacre against Amasiri communities in an attempt to subdue them and take over their lands.
"A Stitch in Time Will Save Nine," the lawyer concluded, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
The letter comes amid growing concerns about intercommunal violence in Ebonyi State and raises serious questions about security and governance in the region.
Stay updated on this developing story by following BenriNews on our social media channels:
