ABIA — A violent confrontation over the enforcement of a sit-at-home order by members of the disbanded Eastern Security Network (ESN), an arm of the dissolved Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), led to the deaths of two women in Okpo Ihechiowa, Arochukwu LGA, Abia State.
The conflict erupted when ESN members entered Okpo Ihechiowa to enforce the sit-at-home policy on locals conducting business in the market. The group opened fire indiscriminately, destroying the market that had taken villagers years to build and killing two women identity as Mrs Ngozi Steven and Mrs Chinyere Ebel who were trading to support their families.
In response, local youths and community leaders alerted the military, which intervened to restore order. However, the confrontation with the ESN resulted in the deaths of three military personnel.
The security forces initially detained the injured attackers but released them after three months of calm in the community. Despite this, the ESN members returned, targeting those they believed had informed the authorities. They specifically sought out community youth leaders Fidel Ndu, Eke Ole, Jack Ndu and Christian Ogbu
When the group couldn’t locate the youth leaders, they set fire to several homes, including the family house of tne leader. This incident tragically led to the death of his grandmother, Madam Oyoyo Obasi, from a heart attack, and his mother was also severely beaten.
As the attackers left the village, they killed Mazi Thomas Kalu Diogu, the youth leader’s uncle, and his son, burning their car in the process. Also killed 4 of the youths
The police were subsequently deployed to the village, but rather than pursuing the ESN members, they focused on the youths in the community expecially the youth leader, accusing them of being affiliated with IPOB, some of them were picked up and others were declared wanted.
The whereabouts of the youth leader and others remain unknown following the violence, leaving Okpo Ihechiowa deeply shaken and affected by the events.
