By Peter Omopo
August 31, 2025
The Chairman of Edda Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Mr. Chima Ekumankama, has expressed deep frustration over the rising wave of killings in his council, hinting at the possibility of resigning from office after a farmer was gruesomely murdered in Oso Edda community.
The victim, identified as middle-aged farmer Dick Nnachi, was beheaded on his farm last Thursday, with his attackers taking away his severed head.
Speaking during the New Yam Festival at Nguzu Edda Community Primary School, where a minute’s silence was observed for the deceased, Ekumankama said he had been overwhelmed by the repeated violence.
“Sometimes I just feel like resigning to go back to my business just because each time I see the blood of an Edda man dropped on the floor, it pains me; it makes me very uncomfortable and very sad,” he lamented.
He added: “If there is any day you hear that I have resigned, know that this is the reason I have to resign. I am seriously in pain. Our people are being slaughtered, and each time they cry to me, I shed tears; I also cry.”
The council boss appealed to Governor Francis Nwifuru to urgently deploy soldiers, police, and other security agencies to Oso Edda and the neighbouring Amasiri community to halt the killings, which are tied to decades-long land disputes.
Police spokesperson in the state, SP Joshua Ukandu, confirmed the incident, saying security operatives had already been deployed to the volatile area. He cautioned residents against violating the buffer zone created to prevent further clashes.
The Oso Edda–Amasiri land conflict has claimed multiple lives over the years despite several peace efforts by successive administrations in Ebonyi.
