Indigenes of Aku community in Igbo-Etiti LGA of Enugu State have cried out over the alleged killing of four youths of the village.
According to the indigenes, the youths were killed when they went to a neighbouring community in search of three of their kinsmen, who were abducted.
The Aku indigenes are pointing accusing fingers at people of Ikolo community, who are engaged in a land dispute with them.
While addressing newsmen on behalf of Aku community, the chairman of Aku General Assembly, Engr. Innocent Okechukwu Diyoke, appealed to Enugu State Government and security agencies to wade in and save them from the alleged attacks from their neighbouring community.
“This press briefing is necessary because of the recent disappearance of three Aku youths suspected to have been kidnapped by Ikolo people on their way to seek traditional medical assistance from an Ikolo herbalist, coupled with organized/planned (alleged) killing of four (4) Aku persons on search party for the missing three (3) persons and grievous gun shot/matchet injuries on Aku people by allegedly by Ikolo people in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State.
“The Aku community in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State feels burdened to inform the world of a dastard act of criminality, terrorism and murder being unleashed on her citizens (allegedly) by the Ikolo community without cause or provocation.
“On the 1st day of August, 2024, in the evening hours, three young men from Aku, Frank Nnamdi Didigwu, Chibuike Nnadi and Obiora Dugwu went to a well known traditional herbalist from Ikolo to obtain herbal medicine for treatment of one of their mothers who was in a critical heath condition.
“Accounts from one of the victims indicate that on getting to the premises of the traditional herbalist, he put phone call to his sister’s phone, confirming that they have gotten to the residence of the herbalist and awaited their turn to receive attention.
“Shockingly, the three Aku boys (youths) are yet to be seen or their whereabout known and their phones switched off.
“When the three boys could not return or be found, the matter was immediately reported to the police and the Enugu State Government for their necessary action. Friends, family members and Aku youths leadership believing that the missing youths could still be found somewhere, went as a search party for the missing persons.”
Contacted, the Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, who confirmed the incident said that the security agencies were deployed to the place to restore peace.
“The police and other security forces were deployed to the communities and normalcy has since been restored,” he said.