One person has been confirmed dead and several others injured in renewed violence in Ekoli, Edda Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

The latest incident, which occurred on Wednesday, has heightened existing tension in the community following a series of violent attacks allegedly carried out by suspected political thugs.

A similar attack last month claimed a life and led to the destruction of properties worth millions of naira.


Among those previously targeted in the crisis were a former Chairman of Edda Local Government Area and former House of Assembly member, Dr. Eni Uduma Chima, and his younger brother, Chima Uduma Chima.

The two narrowly escaped death when gunmen opened fire on their SUV, riddling it with bullets.

In the wake of that attack, both brothers were pronounced persona non grata and allegedly banished from the community for seven years by some residents, who accused them of instigating communal unrest.

The already tense situation escalated on Wednesday following the killing of one Udu Nnachi Uzor in Ndenworo village.

According to his wife, Onyinye, who spoke to journalists in a telephone interview, the assailants—allegedly members of a vigilante group known as Catcham Boys—stormed their residence around noon.

She claimed the attackers, numbering over 20 asked for her husband before shooting him dead in their bedroom.

“He was shot by one of the Catcham members known as Deri.His body has been deposited in the morgue,” she alleged.

A community leader, Etta Egor, condemned the incident and described the activities of the vigilante group as a threat to peace and security in the area.

“We saw them moving through the villages armed with pump-action rifles, accompanied by soldiers and policemen. Not long after, we heard gunshots. When we got to Nnachi Uzor’s house, he was already dead. His wife and children were in tears,” Egor narrated.

“We are baffled by the silence of the government while innocent youths are being targeted and killed. What crime has Ekoli committed to deserve this?”

In a related development, a MAC truck belonging to Mr Eni Uduma Chima was reportedly hijacked during the previous attack and remains missing.

The community has called on the Ebonyi State Government and security agencies to urgently intervene to prevent further bloodshed and restore peace to Ekoli-Edda.