Some of the elders
Some elders from Ndukwe in Amasiri Community in Ebonyi State gathered at the Nkwegu Military Cantonment in Abakaliki, calling upon the authorities to release two of their sons who have been under detention in the Cantonment for more than four weeks.
The elderly, whose ages are between 80 and 90, came down from their buses looking weak and fragile with their walking sticks, limped into the Cantonment, and requested to see the Commandant. The efforts of the aging grandfathers and mothers to see the Commandant met a brick wall as they were told that the military officer accompanied the State Governor to an official assignment.
The disappointment by the absence of the officer evoked emotions as the aged women began to sprawl and roll on the ground, begging for the release of their two sons, Lawrence Ikpe, Chairman Uke Ndukwe Ruling Council and Onwuameze Caleb Uche, Ndukwe Youths Leader.
Reports had it that Lawrenece Ikpe and Onwuamaeze Caleb Uche were arrested by soldiers when they attended a security meeting held at Afikpo local government area in April. According to the report, their arrest followed a crisis between the people of Edda in Edda Local Government Area and Ndukwe in Amasiri in Afikpo Local Government Area, which led to loss of lives and property.
In an interview with journalists, the spokesman for the elders, Chief Simon Eze Idam, said the problem began on January 20, 2025, when Ndukwe Youths went to clear the bushes around Akanto Primary School in preparation for the reopening of schools as directed by the Afikpo Local Government.
Idam said, “While they were working, Edda people attacked them and abducted 6 youths from Ndukwe. Up till now, the boys have not been seen. We reported this to the Police. He also said: “On the 4th of April, 2025, Edda people attacked again, this time at Ozara Okangwu and abducted two Ndukwe sons.
“This is what led to the fracas between the two communities. Based on this, the local government Chairman invited leaders of the two communities to a meeting in Afikpo. It was at this meeting in the Local Government Headquarters that Lawrence Ikpe and Onwuamaeze Caleb Uche were arrested by Military men, and we wonder why they did not arrest people from Edda for kidnapping and killing five of our children.”
Chief Idam further alleged that all efforts to secure the release of the boys had not yielded any results. “This is why we, the elders of Ndukwe autonomous community from Afikpo local government area of Ebonyi State, are here today in Nkwegu military cantonment to appeal for release of our sons; Lawrence Ikpe and Onwuameze Caleb Uche.
“The youths went to clear grasses at Akanto Ndukwe Primary School in preparation for our children school reopening when they were attacked by Edda people. Five of them were kidnapped. As if that was not enough, when the Council Chairman called for a peace meeting, two of our youths were arrested at the meeting venue by men of the Nigerian Army.
“Since that day, we have been sending delegates to come and meet the Army Commandant for the release of the youth leaders, but all to no avail. That is why we, the elders, both men and women, are here to see the Commandant ourselves. “We don’t understand why the soldiers are still detaining them days after His Excellency, Builder Francis Ogbonnaya Nwifuru directed that they should be released.
“Unfortunately, they say the Commandant is not on seat. We were told he accompanied the state governor to Effium community where land demarcation is taking place. We appeal for the release of our sons, that’s all,” he concluded.
