The Oso-Edda Development Town Union has raised the alarm over a resurgence of violence in its community, following the abduction of Mr. Uduma Idam Chima, allegedly by armed men from the neighboring Amasiri community in Ebonyi State.
The incident, which occurred on June 14, 2025, is the latest in a series of attacks that have reportedly targeted Oso-Edda in Edda Local Government Area.
The community leaders said the renewed hostilities threaten to derail peace efforts initiated by Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State.
Speaking to journalists in Abakaliki, the President General of the union, Hon. Ama Aba Emeh, condemned the abduction and expressed dismay over the failure of authorities to halt what he described as “persistent and calculated aggression.”
“We, the people of Oso-Edda, strongly condemn the abduction of our son, Mr. Uduma Idam Chima, by armed warlords from Amasiri. This latest attack is especially painful, coming just weeks after a peace meeting hosted by Governor Francis Nwifuru on April 30, 2025,” Emeh stated.
Recounting past tragedies, Emeh cited a deadly attack on April 6, 2025, in which six Oso-Edda residents—among them a pregnant woman and her child were reportedly killed, and properties worth millions of naira destroyed.
He also recalled the abduction of several farmers on February 5, 2023, while they worked on their farmland.
“This is not the first, second, or even third time we’ve suffered such assaults.
We are calling on the Governor, the Inspector General of Police, and the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police to act urgently and end this bloodshed. We’ve remained peaceful out of respect for the governor’s peace-building initiative, but our patience is running out," he lamented.
The union’s Secretary General, Mr. Ama-Oko Chima, attributed the crisis to a longstanding land dispute, asserting that the contested land is an ancestral inheritance of the Oso-Edda people.
“The land in question has always belonged to our forefathers. It is shocking that the Amasiri people who were historically tenants and labourers on our land are now laying claim to ownership,” Chima said.
Describing the Amasiri claims as “malicious and misleading,” Chima emphasized that despite repeated provocations, Oso-Edda has not resorted to reprisal attacks.
“Our commitment to peace should not be mistaken for weakness. We are urging both state and federal security agencies to act now, before our community is completely overrun. The Oso-Edda community is appealing for immediate government intervention to restore peace and protect lives and property in the troubled area," he said.
Attempts to reach leaders of the Amasiri community for comment were unsuccessful as of press time.
Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Ebonyi State Command, SP Joshua Ukandu, confirmed that the command is aware of the incident and has commenced an investigation.
“We received information on the attack and have deployed our men to investigate thoroughly. Measures are also being taken to prevent a recurrence of such suspected criminal activities in the area,” SP Ukandu said.
