Crisis: Ex- council boss, Eni, groups trade words over alleged gun-running, bloodshed in Ekoli Edda community

The former council chairman of Edda local government area of Ebonyi state, Eni Uduma Chima and three groups; Concerned Citizens, Ekolite and Glory of Ekoli Edda, has traded words over an alleged gun-running, terrorism and bloodshed in Ekoli Edda community.

Recall that the groups; Concerned Citizens, Ekolite and Glory of Ekoli Edda, had through it’s lawyer, Ogban Ebenezer Unor, Esq petitioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru for an intervention over the alleged gun-running, terrorism and bloodshed in Ekoli Edda community.

The groups in a twenty two paragraphs petition, signed and issued to newsmen in Abakaliki, accused the former council chairman, Eni Uduma Chima of making Ekoli Edda community to be under siege and bondage since 2007.

The petition reads in part: “That having taken over absolute control of all the paraphernalia of authority in the community, the said Eni Uduma Chima instituted a reign of terror against the people by forming a squad organization known as”Morekanbedone”, and unleashed them against defenceless innocent citizens and his perceived enemies, whereas the primary functions of a responsible and responsive organization whether government or native administration ought to have been the welfare and protection of lives and properties of the citizenry.

“That unimaginable strange things began to happen in Ekoli Edda following the proliferation of firearms and ammunitions of different descriptions and calibre in the community. Regrettably enough, an atmosphere of insecurity, anarchy and violence engulfed Ekoli Edda which led to series of murders of innocent citizens.

“That the impunity associated with the ruthless activities of the said Eni Uduma Chima and his foot soldiers who treated other inhabitants as conquered citizens, led to the mop-up of firearms and other sophisticated weapons in the community by the Nigerian Military Authorities in an operation which commenced in Ekoli Edda on 16th December, 2023 following the arrest of Eni Iduma Chima’s Field Commander, Arua Ikwor Ekpe on 14th December, 2023” they groups said.

In a swift reaction, the former council Chairman, Eni Uduma Chima said there is no terrorist group in Ekoli Edda and that the said, Concerned Citizens, Ekolite and Glory of Ekoli Edda groups are fake, only existed on the social media.

Eni, who spoke to newsmen in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state Capital, said the allegations leveled against him by the so called groups, are people who are envy and aggrieved that he (Eni) is growing politically higher than them.

The former Chairman, Eni who is currently serving the State Government as Board Chairman, Ebonyi Fertilizer Company said that there is no any crisis going on in Edda community.

“The ‘more can be done’ they are referring to as terrorist Group is just a slogan I used during the election, where I told my people that more good things could be done if they voted for me”. Eni said.

“The petition which my political opponents are circulating is what has been there before and has been trashed by Court of law. The truth is that these my opponents from my community do bring up this petition with graphic pictures to paint the picture that I’m a violent person.

“All these are false and baseless. It is coming up because the Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru has just appointed me as the Chairman of the Fertilizer Company. They wanted to bring it up before the appointment but God didn’t allow them.”

“I entered politics very early as a young man and I am doing very well, I think that is why they want to blackmail me before the public but God will not allow that” he said.

On the alleged proliferation of guns, Eni said that Ekoli Edda community has been into war with so many communities by its boundaries and in a such community, weapons are always there.

He called on the people who are trying to tarnish his image to come together with him to build a peaceful and progressive Edda.