By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Coordinator of Oshiri Development Centre in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Hon. Agu Opu Odefa, has petitioned the Commissioner of Police in the state over what he described as a violent attempt on his life by suspected cultists.

In a petition dated September 29, 2025, and signed by his counsel, Barrister S.U. Ununu of Ununu & Ununu (Big Bird Chambers), Odefa alleged that on Saturday, September 27, at about 10 p.m., a group of armed men launched a deadly attack on him at Panna Hotels, Oshiri Area of the state.

According to the petition, the suspects, are Chinenye Okoro (alias Weobe/Importer), Chijioke Elom (alias Dealer), Tochukwu Isaiah, aka politics and others.

The Coordinator alleged that the assailants attempted to kidnap him and force him into one of the motorcycles they came with.

The petition further alleged that when Odefa resisted, the assailants inflicted multiple machete and axe cuts on him before he managed to escape.

A copy of the petition of which was obtained by NewsExpress. He was said to have sustained severe injuries and is currently hospitalized.

Barrister Ununu also stated that the attackers destroyed Odefa’s official vehicle, which is valued at ?70 million, during the incident.

“The suspects threatened to kill and kidnap our client on the date of the incident, which they attempted to execute. Our client, who narrowly escaped with his life, is still in hospital receiving treatment,” the petition read in part.

The legal team urged the police command to approve the arrest and prosecution of the suspects for alleged conspiracy, attempted kidnap and murder, armed robbery, cultism, and malicious damage to government property.

At the time of filing this report, police authorities were yet to issue an official response to the petition.