Narrating his ordeals in the hands of soldiers, one of the victims, Mr Alex Nkwuda, told our correspondence that the military men arrived the IDPs camp, and tortured them, insisting that they provide their missing colleague even when they cried out that they know nothing about the whereabout of the said man.
He appealed to the security Leaders to extend his tentacle to the Ukelle area as he appealed to the people to remain law abiding as all efforts are in place to bring down the tension.
Also speaking chairman Igbeagu Stakeholders, and Chairman FADAMA111, Dr Cletus Nwakpu, in an interview after stakeholders meeting held at Ndubia, said the meeting between the elders and elites yielded no positive outcome.
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However, Lt Col S.O Sadiq, Commandant Officer Nkwoagu cantonment Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, has blamed the action as a result of one of his soldiers who got missing and was suspected to be held in hostage by the people of the area.
His word ‘ one of my soldier(name withheld for security reason) went to Abakaliki from Ishikom, Ukelle area to carry on bank transaction on motorcycle, on his return, he was alleged to have collected premium motor spirit from his colleague stationed at Ndiakpurata Onunwakpu, but since then he was no where to be found.”
Col Sadiq noted that the incident took place on Monday but his men began their search on Thursday and would not rest until the missing soldier is found.
He advised the community stakeholders to do the needful in complying their people to provide the still missing soldier as he called on those behind the kidnap to present themselves as his office has all the necessary information concerning those behind the crime and would not rest until they are produced, even as he prayed that both communities should embrace peace for nothing thrives in places of war.
According to him,” one of our informant said that it was at Onunwakpu axis that the soldier got missing and he was said to be announcing on top of his voice that he was a soldier but the men whisked him to an unknown destination.
“When the wife of my officer called that she has not seen his husband, I ordered my men to go and comb all the area and bring him either dead or alive, I want him,” he said.
Chief Awo, pleaded with the Federal Government led by Muhammadu Buhari to call the military men to order as the villages which are still nursing wounds of the recent clash can not endure facing another trauma by men sent to keep peace in the area.
Recall that Igbeagu community in Izzi LGA of Ebonyi State who was bedevilled by a communal crisis with Ukelle Community of Yala LGA, Cross River State has accepted to sheath their sword after both States Governors met at Port Harcourt, River state where ten points agenda communique was raised as a means to promote oneness.