Communal Clash: 4 Feared Dead, 7 Kidnapped as Oso Invades Amasiri Community in Ebonyi State
By Omaka OKOH, Abakaliki
The protracted communal conflict between the Oso and Amasiri communities in Edda and Afikpo North Local Government Areas of Ebonyi State has taken a violent turn once again, with four people feared dead and seven others reportedly kidnapped.
According to reports, residents of Amasiri were attacked by suspected Oso assailants penultimate week while working on their farmlands.
The attack led to the alleged killing of four individuals and the abduction of seven others.
It was gathered that the victims had gone to their farms following assurances from the government that peace had been restored in the area unaware that tensions remained high and the Oso community was still reportedly in an aggressive state.
An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, recounted that the attack occurred in the early hours of the day when a group of farmers had just arrived at their various farmlands.
"After about an hour, I suddenly heard loud cries of 'Help! Help! We are dying ooooh!' I ran immediately back to the village and raised an alarm," the source said.
The villagers quickly mobilised and rushed to the scene. “By the time we got back to the area, we were only able to rescue five people. Eleven others were missing," the eyewitness added.
He said a search party was immediately launched but failed to locate the remaining victims. However, one elderly woman was found lying helpless in a nearby farm.
According to her, four individuals were severely beaten and likely did not survive, while seven others had been blindfolded and led away to an unknown destination.
"As we speak, the seven missing persons have not returned, and fears are growing that they may have been killed," the source added.
The eyewitness called on the government to urgently intervene and implement the report of the Peace Committee led by HRH Ezeogo Idam Bassey Onya.
It was learned that the committee had submitted its findings to the local government chairman and the police, but the report is yet to be acted upon.
