Following the alleged murder of a lady and a member of the community’s vigilance group by Nigerian Army troops, the residents of Eke village in Enugu State’s Udi Local Council have requested the Senate’s assistance.
The Eke Progressive Forum (EPF) petitioned the Senate President for an investigation into the event that resulted in the soldiers’ cold-blooded double homicide on the evening of June 29, 2023.
According to reports, the tragedy occurred as the neighborhood watch group reacted to a cry for help from robbery victims. An open inquiry and the prosecution of the troops engaged in the heinous conduct, if proven guilty, were sought in the EPF petition dated July 4, 2023, which was presented to the President of the Senate through the senator who represents Enugu West Senatorial District, Senator Osita Ngwu.
In addition to presenting the petition to the Senate, Ngwu, the new Deputy Senate President who succeeded Ike Ekweremadu, also reminded the upper chamber that Ekweremadu, a five-term senator (and three-term Deputy Senate President), was still being detained in the United Kingdom.
The petition, which was made available to yesterday, was titled “Unwarranted Killings and Attack on Eke Neighbor Guards by Officers of the Nigerian Army in Eke, Udi Local Council of Enugu State: Appeal for Intervention and Justice.” It stated: “We humbly seek your attention and kind intervention on the gruesome murder of Eke Neighbor Guards by three officers of the Nigerian Army when they embarked on the rescue of victims of robbery
“Following the promise from the Divisional Police Officer at Ninth Mile Police, Enugu State, that the police was also mobilizing to the incident location, our Neighborhood Guards mobilized to the scene after receiving a tip of a robbery attack along Eke Road.
The organization also urged the Senate President to look into the event, requesting that he “kindly use your good offices to investigate this matter and ensure justice for the dead victims and members of the battered and maimed Neighbourhood Vigilante team, as well as other victims.”
The group went on to say: “Surprisingly, the Neighbourhood Guards squad met three soldiers who challenged them and opened fire on them from a close distance despite the fact that they had identified themselves with their identity cards and uniforms. The shooting occurred despite the guards’ pleas and explanations that they were (members of) the neighborhood vigilante.
“It needed the tenacious involvement of the Ninth Mile policeman to convince the troops to cease their attacks and offensive on the Guards. When the troops were requested to cease moving toward the scene of the event, the neighborhood guards did not likewise oppose them.
Mr. Ebuka Oke, a vigilante member, was shot and killed by the troops, while two other people were transported to a hospital for care and CPR. Mr. Obinwa Ofor, Mr. Chinedu Okoro, and Mr. Emeka Anigbo are the three injured team members.
Mrs. Nkechi Udegbunam, an Enugu Eke resident who was ruthlessly shot by the troops together with her husband, Mr. Izuchukwu Udegbunam, was also declared dead. At the time of the event, both were riding a motorbike to Eke. While her spouse was still undergoing treatment and was in serious condition, Mrs. Nkechi Udegbunam passed away instantly.
“The Eke Neighborhood Vigilante team’s suffering and experiences were so traumatic and terrible. We are unable to comprehend the motivation for the heinous murder and mutilation of the defenseless vigilantes, who had displayed their identities and were on the prowl for hostages. More significantly, they had notified the police before beginning the rescue effort.
In addition to presenting the petition to the Senate, Ngwu, the new Deputy Senate President who succeeded Ike Ekweremadu, also reminded the upper chamber that Ekweremadu, a five-term senator (and three-term Deputy Senate President), was still being detained in the United Kingdom. He pointed out that the Federal Government is suffering since Ekweremadu has been imprisoned for more than 380 days at this point.
Ngwu went on to say that it was up to the Senate to move the issue further.