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…Residents protest killing, demand justice
From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki
There is tension at Ihie autonomous community, Ishiagu, in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State over the killing of a member of the community, late Fabian Okonkwo.
Okonkwo was reportedly murdered on April 16, 2026, by suspected assailants in the area after alleged threats to his life.
The deceased and some other members of the Umunkpumente Kindred in the community were allegedly holding a meeting when the assailants struck. Okonkwo died during the attack while some people sustained varying degrees of injury..
Victims of the attack alleged that Okonkwo had earlier received threats from certain members of the community before his killing.
They called on Governor Francis Nwifuru, the Commissioner of Police, CP Hope Urunwa Okafor, and the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) to ensure the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the incident.
The victims alleged that the crisis escalated after members of the Umunkpumente Kindred petitioned Governor Nwifuru and the Commissioner of Police, requesting a thorough investigation into the killing of Okonkwo and the arrest of those behind the murder.
One of the victims and Chairman of the Umunkpumente Kindred, Christopher Okonkwo, revealed that the late Fabian Okonkwo had sought permission in April 2026 to bury his deceased in-law on his property at Ekembe in Ihie Autonomous Community, where he resided.
He explained that the late Okonkwo approached the President-General of the town union, Chijoke Ume, to inform him of the proposed burial arrangement.
However, he stated that the President-General objected to the plan and warned him against proceeding with it.
According to Okonkwo, the deceased subsequently approached the traditional ruler of Ihie Autonomous Community, Eze Gabriel Okoro, who granted approval for the burial after confirming that the land belonged to the late Okonkwo and that his family had consented to the arrangement.
He further stated that shortly after obtaining the approval and returning home, gunmen allegedly stormed the residence of Fabian Okonkwo in the early hours of April 16 and shot him multiple times in the head, killing him before help could arrive.
In the words of Christopher Okonkwo, “he went further to threaten him that should he go contrary to his position, that he will have him to contend with. Late Fabian now went to the traditional ruler of Ihie Autonomous Community, Eze Gabriel Okoro to seek his approval and the Eze gave him permission, considering that the land in question belongs to the late Fabian and the family who had already agreed that his in-law should be buried there.
“After getting the approval from the traditional ruler, he left the palace and went back home. In the early hours of 16th April, gunmen came to his house and shot him several times in the head and before help could come, he has already died. Unfortunately nothing was taken from him which made it clear that it was a case of assassination. The hoodlums only came to kill him.
“On getting the information, the Chairman of Ivo LGA, Chief Emmanuel Aja and the Divisional Police Officer Ivo LGA came and took the body of the deceased to the mortuary without informing us who are his kinsmen that he had been murdered.
“After waiting for several weeks and the police weren’t doing anything, to unravel the mystery behind the killing, we, the kindred members, now petitioned the State Governor and the Commissioner of Police against Chijoke Ume who is the President General of Ihie community, who had earlier threatened the deceased, and he was arrested alongside his Secretary, Kenneth Kalu.
“On the 3rd of June, the Local Government Chairman called me and asked me to go and ensure that the President General and the Secretary arrested were released from the police custody. I informed him that it wasn’t a personal decision to petition the governor and the police on the murder of Fabian but rather a decision of the kindred. He insisted that I must go back to the police and ensure that I withdraw the petition and ensure they were released.
“On the 5th of June, 2026, some youths, led by one Emeka Chukwuemeka, invaded my house and when they didn’t see me, they destroyed some of my belongings. On their way out, they met my uncle’s wife, Mrs. Kate Irochi and asked her to inform me that they were giving me 24 hours to ensure that the PG and Secretary were released from the police, otherwise, that they would deal with me.
“Then in the early hours of 7th June, 2026, which was yesterday, they rang the bell that they were going to hold a meeting at one Cornelius Chukwu’s compound, We the members of the kindred had scheduled to hold a meeting in late Fabian Okonkwo’s house on how to cater for his family, especially the aged mother.
“While we were there, over 100 youths from the other three different kindred invaded the place and started attacking us. They injured about 10 persons, burnt one motorcycle, destroyed two other motorcycles and looted and destroyed a shop belonging to one Onwulandu Mbazu,” he narrated.
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He appealed to the governor, Francis Nwifuru and the police boss in CP, Ebonyi State Police Command to investigate the incessant attacks on the people of Umunkpumente kindred, adding that a similar attack was carried out on them on the 31st August 2024 which led to the destruction and looting of many shops, even as many residents were injured.
Okonkwo maintained that no property was stolen during the attack, leading family members to suspect that the killing was a targeted assassination rather than a robbery operation.
He also alleged that the Chairman of Ivo Local Government Area, Chief Emmanuel Ajah, alongside the Divisional Police Officer in the area, removed the body and deposited it in a mortuary without formally informing members of the deceased’s kindred.
According to him, after several weeks without any visible breakthrough in the investigation, members of the kindred petitioned Governor Francis Nwifuru and the Commissioner of Police, drawing attention to earlier threats allegedly made against the deceased by the President-General of the community.
He added that the President-General and his Secretary, Kenneth Kalu, were subsequently arrested by the police.
Recounting further developments, Okonkwo alleged that on June 3, 2026, the council chairman contacted him and urged him to facilitate the release of the arrested individuals.
He said he informed the chairman that the petition was a collective decision of the kindred and not a personal initiative, but alleged that pressure continued for the petition to be withdrawn.
He further claimed that on June 5, some youths led by one Emeka Chukwuemeka allegedly invaded his residence in his absence and vandalised several of his belongings.
According to him, the youths later encountered his uncle’s wife, Mrs. Kate Irochi, and instructed her to deliver a message, warning him to secure the release of the detained individuals within 24 hours or face the consequences.
Okonkwo stated that members of the kindred had scheduled a meeting at the residence of the late Fabian Okonkwo on June 7 to discuss welfare support for the deceased’s family, particularly his aged mother.
He alleged that while the meeting was ongoing, more than 100 youths from three other kindred stormed the venue and attacked participants.
According to him, about 10 persons sustained injuries during the incident, while one motorcycle was burnt, two others were damaged, and a shop belonging to Onwulandu Mbazu was allegedly looted and vandalized.
He appealed to Governor Nwifuru and the Ebonyi State Police Command to investigate what he described as repeated attacks on members of the Umunkpumente Kindred.
He further alleged that a similar incident occurred on August 31, 2024, resulting in injuries and the destruction of several shops.
Another victim, James Ifeanyi, who serves as the Financial Secretary of the kindred, accused the Youth President of Ihie Autonomous Community and a Special Assistant to the Local Government Chairman of leading the attack.
He alleged that the assailants arrived armed with dangerous weapons and unleashed violence on members of the kindred.
James further alleged that the attack and subsequent protests were aimed at frustrating ongoing investigations into the murder of the late Fabian Okonkwo. He called on security agencies to apprehend and prosecute those responsible.
Reacting to the allegations, the Chairman of Ivo Local Government Area, Chief Emmanuel Ajah, said the killing of Fabian Okonkwo had been reported to the police and that investigations were ongoing.
Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Ebonyi State Command, SP Joshua Ukandu, confirmed the arrest of the community President-General and his secretary, adding that normalcy had been restored in the area.
Ukandu expressed concern over the attack and protests, questioning why individuals would resort to violence over the arrest and interrogation of persons linked to an ongoing murder investigation.
“Unfortunately, we have yet to conclude an investigation on the matter and the youths are protesting and attacking people. They should have allowed the police to conclude their investigation and if they suspect foul play, then they have the right to complain”, the PPRO said.
