Ebonyi youths demand arrests over latest killing of monarch

The Ohanivo Youth Forum, a socio-cultural youth body for Ohaozara, Onicha, and Ivo Local Government Areas of Ebonyi State, has vowed to work with security agencies to ensure that those behind the recent murder of the traditional ruler of Ishinkwo Autonomous Community in Onicha LGA, HRH Eze Josephat Ikegwu, face the law.

The group on Friday condemned what it described as a “growing evil” of targeted killings of traditional rulers in Ebonyi State.

It spoke in a statement signed by the forum’s National President, Comrade George Chimeebere Nwoye; Secretary General, Collins Odii Christopher; and Public Relations Officer, Comrade Lazarus Ugochukwu Ngwee.

It decried the deaths of two monarchs in close succession within the new year, noting that HRH Eze Francis Igwe of Ndufu-Alike Ikwo Autonomous Community and HRH Eze Josephat Ikegwu were both killed “without justifiable essence,” and questioned why custodians of peace and order had become targets.

“Late Eze Josephat Ikegwu was a man of peace and decorum, who contributed immensely to the development of Ohanivo nation by standing for truth and insistence on sustainable peace as evidenced in the Abomege-Ishinkwo inter-communal crisis,” the statement read.

The youth group expressed worry over the state of security of lives and property, noting that despite Governor Francis Nwifuru’s efforts through his “people’s charter of needs” governance, some unscrupulous elements still inflict harm and instigate unrest by gruesome killings of fellow citizens. 

The group recalled with sadness the disappearance of the former paramount ruler of Isuokoma Autonomous community in the same Onicha LGA, Ezeogo Ambrose Okorie Ogbu, and the murder of HRH Eze Omaze Ibo Ubani of Akaeze in Ivo LGA inside his home, both cases still without resolution.

It said: “We make bold to declare that as Ohanivo Youth, we will not fold our hands and see our people being slaughtered like fowl for no apparent reasons. We’ll stop at nothing to assist the security agents to fish out the perpetrators of this dastardly act so that they will face the full weight of law.

“Our societal norms and values have been bastardized by the act of pinching evil, and as such, it’s unacceptable to us. We can’t continue to bury our leaders and parents in tantalizing wails.

“Injury to one is injury to all.”

The forum, in its five-point request in the statement, urged security agencies to swiftly investigate the killing of Eze Ikegwu and others still unresolved, pledging its full collaboration with the agencies to achieve desired results.

It further called on the Ebonyi State House of Assembly to expedite action on the bill to provide official security for paramount rulers to forestall further attacks, while urging local government council chairmen to tighten internal security within their borders.

Urging all youth organisations in the state to unite in confronting the “cancerous” trend, the forum appealed to Ishinkwo Autonomous Community to remain calm, with assurance of its collaboration with government at all levels to bring perpetrators to book.  

“We are in solemn resolve to ensure that our people sleep with their two eyes closed at all times,” the statement added. 

Recall that the assailants reportedly attacked and killed Ikegwu in his home on April 1, 2026. 

Sources said the incident occurred around 10pm when armed men stormed his residence and shot him through the bedroom window while he was resting.