Ebonyi: Fresh violence in Effium as man is beheaded

From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki

A man identified as Godwin Odah has reportedly been beheaded in Akparata village, Effium autonomous community, Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

He was allegedly beheaded at the back of his compound on Monday by suspected warlords in the village, with other parts of his body severed.

The killing occurred less than a week after Governor Francis Nwifuru granted amnesty to 159 detainees in Abakaliki prisons, who had languished there for four years before the amnesty was announced last week by the governor.

The people of Ezza-Effium and Effium in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state have been at war since 21 January 2021, with many lives lost and properties worth billions of naira destroyed.

Since 2021, the war has become protracted, with more killings, maiming, and destruction.

Many persons from the warring communities were arrested and detained at the Abakaliki prisons over the conflict.

They were, however, granted amnesty by Governor Francis Nwifuru as part of his efforts to bring lasting peace to the troubled communities.

But the amnesty was broken on Monday following the killing of Godwin Odah in his compound by the suspected warlords.

The state Police Spokesperson, SP Joshua Ukandu, said the command has not received a report on the killing.