By CHARLES ONYEKWERE

The Oso-Edda Development Town Union has strongly condemned the recent abduction of one of its indigenes, Mr. Uduma Idam Chima, allegedly carried out by armed groups from the Amasiri community in Ebonyi State.

The incident, which took place on June 14, 2025, is the latest in a string of violent attacks reportedly targeted at the people of Oso-Edda in Edda Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

Addressing journalists, the President-General of the union, Hon. Ama Aba Emeh, expressed grave concern over the continued hostility, despite recent peace efforts brokered by the Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency Francis Nwifuru.

“We, the people of Oso-Edda in Edda Local Government Area, condemn the recent attack and abduction of our son, Mr. Uduma Idam Chima, by Amasiri warlords. This incident is particularly painful as it occurred shortly after a peace meeting convened by Governor Francis Nwifuru on April 30, 2025,” Emeh stated.

Recounting previous incidents, Emeh recalled that on April 6, 2025, armed militias allegedly from Amasiri launched an assault that left six Oso-Edda residents dead — including a pregnant woman and her child — and destroyed properties worth millions of naira.

He also referenced a similar occurrence on February 5, 2023, when several Oso-Edda farmers were reportedly abducted while working on their farms.

“This is not the first, second, or even third time such attacks have taken place. We are appealing to the Governor, the Inspector General of Police, and the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police to act swiftly and decisively. We have remained peaceful because Governor Nwifuru is a peace-loving leader,” he added.

Adding to the concerns, the union’s Secretary-General, Ama-Oko Chima, shed light on the root cause of the conflict — a disputed tract of land.

According to Chima, the land rightfully belongs to the Oso-Edda people, inherited from their ancestors.

“The land in question is ours by ancestral heritage. It is shocking that the Amasiri people, who were once tenants and labourers engaged by our forefathers, are now laying claim to ownership,” he said.

He described the claims by the Amasiri as “malicious and misleading,” stressing that despite the recurring violence, Oso-Edda has never engaged in any reprisal attacks.

“Our commitment to peace should not be mistaken for weakness. We urge the relevant authorities to intervene urgently before our community is completely overrun,” Chima appealed.

The Oso-Edda community is calling on both state and federal security agencies to act immediately to prevent further bloodshed and ensure lasting peace in the troubled region.

As of press time, efforts to reach representatives of the Amasiri community for comments were unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Ebonyi State Command, SP Joshua Ukandu, confirmed that the command has received reports about the incident and has launched an investigation.

“We have received the information, and our officers have commenced investigations to uncover the root cause and to prevent further occurrences of such suspected criminal activities in the area.