The victims including Nze Ukwa Nwankwo, Oduge Joseph, Ucha Igwe, Ukwa Simon and Ejike Nwanchonu sustained varying degrees of injuries during the incident and are currently receiving treatment in different hospitals across the state.
One of the victims, Nze Nwankwo Ukwa, who is receiving medical care at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (AE-FUTHA), recounted his ordeal from his hospital bed.
According to him, the attack occurred while he was preparing to attend a meeting convened by the traditional ruler of the community.
“I was getting ready for the meeting when I suddenly noticed people running in different directions. Before I could understand what was happening, a group of men surrounded me and descended on me with weapons. They inflicted serious injuries on me. One of my eyes is badly affected; I can hardly see with it,” he said.
Ukwa further alleged that the attackers dispossessed him of N120,000, his mobile phone and other personal belongings. He claimed that the assailants were accompanied by soldiers who allegedly supervised the operation.
“The thugs came with soldiers who stood by while we were attacked. Many people were tied with their hands behind their backs and beaten mercilessly,” he alleged.
He maintained that there was no existing crisis in the community that could have warranted such violence, but suggested that an alleged attempt by some individuals to remove the village head might have triggered the unrest.
Following the incident, the victims, through their counsel, U. C. Igba, petitioned the State Commissioner of Police, Uche-Adaku Anya, in a letter dated February 18, 2026, demanding a thorough investigation.
In the petition, the lawyer alleged that a group of soldiers conspired with armed hoodlums to invade the village, assault residents, and destroy property.
The petition further claimed that the attackers were armed with guns, axes, locally made firearms and other dangerous weapons.
The lawyer alleged that several residents were beaten to stupor, robbed, and had their homes burgled while the soldiers allegedly provided cover for the attackers.
According to the petition, some victims were allegedly tied up, assaulted in the presence of the soldiers, and later handed over to the military personnel, who reportedly dropped them off without proper investigation or transferring them to the police.
The petition also alleged that five motorcycles were stolen and several houses vandalised during the invasion. It further claimed that the assailants are still threatening residents and causing fear in the community.
“Our clients have suffered untold psychological, physical, economic and financial hardship owing to the criminal conduct of the hoodlums,” the petition read in part.
The lawyer called on the police command to discreetly investigate allegations bordering on attempted murder, malicious damage to property, robbery and unlawful possession of arms, and to bring those responsible to justice.
Residents say the once peaceful community is now gripped by fear, with many families reportedly fleeing their homes over concerns of further violence.
As of the time of filing this report, the police authorities had yet to issue an official statement on the allegations.
The incident has heightened tensions in the area, with stakeholders calling for urgent intervention by security agencies to restore calm and prevent escalation of the crisis.
