A wave of anxiety and unrest has enveloped the Aku and Ikolo communities in Igboetiti Local Government Area, Enugu State, following the tragic murder of seven youths from the Aku community. The incident has escalated tensions between the neighboring communities, amid allegations surrounding a supposed "evil shrine" used for ritualistic purposes.
The conflict appears to stem from a long-standing land dispute, but the recent episode began on August 1, 2024, when three young men from Aku, Frank Nnamdi Didigwu, Chibuike Nnadi, and Obiora Dugwu, visited Ikolo, seeking herbal remedies from a renowned traditional healer for Frank’s critically ill mother. Disturbingly, the trio has not been seen since.
Following their disappearance, a search party was dispatched by the Aku community, but tragedy struck when they were ambushed by armed individuals from Ikolo. Allegedly led by the local Ikolo neighborhood watch group, the ambush resulted in the death of four young men — Sunday Nwaihuagu, Chukwueroke Ozota, Ikem Odeh, and Olasie Chukwuka. Several others were left with severe injuries from gunshots and machete attacks. Among the injured were Chinecherem Damin Attah and his mother, Benedeth Attah, who are now receiving treatment at the Federal Orthopedic Hospital, Enugu.
Speaking on the incident, Ike Ozor, Esq., representing the Aku Diewa Lawyers' Forum, expressed dismay, stating that the murders were "completely unprovoked." He clarified that the victims, all from Amankpo village in the Ihekwu-Enu Autonomous Community, had no prior conflict or land dispute with Ikolo. "This attack is baseless and unjustifiable," Ozor remarked.
Providing historical context, Barr. Ozor recounted a legal struggle dating back to 1943 when Ikolo challenged their status as customary tenants of Lelegu village in Aku. Courts had consistently ruled in favor of Lelegu, upholding their ownership of the land in question. Ikolo, however, had continually flouted these rulings, allegedly encroaching on land and resorting to violence over the years.
In a chilling revelation, Obinna Joseph Ugwuanyi, a member of the search party, claimed they discovered a shrine during their investigation on August 5. The shrine, known as Ogwugwu n'eri Aku (the valley that swallows Aku people), was littered with bloodstains and discarded clothing. Ugwuanyi alleged that the Ikolo community had been using the shrine for ritualistic sacrifices of Aku people.
Joel Ejiofor, president of the Aku Youths General Assembly, recounted a series of attacks on their community over the years, some of which had targeted prominent members. He emphasized that the Aku community had long endured violence at the hands of Ikolo and urged the government to take immediate action.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Igbonekwu Francisca, a representative of Aku women, described the killings as "barbaric" and called on the government to dismantle the shrine and prevent further bloodshed. "This is an attack on our community, and it must stop," she declared.
As tensions continue to rise, the Aku community is demanding justice and government intervention to prevent further violence and ensure the safe return of their missing members. Authorities are yet to make any official statements regarding the inciden
