A troubling incident involving Mr. Okpani Olughu Ogbonnaya, a youth leader from Akanu Owutu Edda, occurred on Thursday evening at approximately 7 PM while he was traveling from Timber Junction, Afikpo Local Government Area to receive goods delivered via waybill from Onitsha.
In a video release, Mr. Okpani recounts that he was approached by an motorcycle rider (Okada man) at Timber Junction, who asked, “Are you going to Owutu or Ebunwanna?” After confirming he was heading to Owutu, Okpani boarded the motorcycle.
As they approached Akpuru village, the rider stopped and made a phone call. Okpani mistakenly believed the call was to his wife. Shortly after, he was ambushed by three assailants who had been waiting nearby. The attackers harassed him, fired shots that fortunately did not penetrate his head, and accused him of being from Oso Edda.
They proceeded to physically assault Okpani with wooden weapons, robbing him of his mobile phone and 36,000 Naira before fleeing the scene upon the arrival of another motorcycle.
As of now, the whereabouts of Okpani’s goods remain unknown. The community expresses concern over this increasing violence and calls for urgent action to ensure the safety of local residents.
