The recent arrest of the National President of the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, has sent shockwaves through Ebonyi State. Amidst the growing tension in the state over the deadly attacks by suspected herdsmen, one man has come forward to claim responsibility for Igboayaka’s arrest: Mr. Emmanuel Emeka Odanwu, the Coordinator of Ishielu North Development Centre.
In an exclusive press briefing held at the ALGON office in Abakaliki on Monday, Odanwu confirmed that he had formally petitioned the Ebonyi State Police Command on February 5, 2025, urging an investigation into Igboayaka’s involvement in spreading potentially harmful information related to a deadly attack in the state.
A Deadly Attack and a Dire Warning
The controversy began following the gruesome attack on Amagu village in Nkalaha, Ishielu Local Government Area, on February 2, 2025. At least 16 people were killed, and several homes were burned to the ground in the suspected herdsmen attack. The violence has left the state reeling with grief and fear, but the situation took a dramatic turn when Igboayaka made a public statement shortly after the incident.
In his remarks, Igboayaka revealed that the OYC Directorate of Intelligence had raised an alarm four days before the attack, warning state governor Francis Nwifuru about a potential herdsmen incursion in the state. According to Igboayaka, “Our findings indicated that Fulani herdsmen are expanding their presence in Ebonyi State, posing a significant threat of additional attacks if Governor Nwifuru remains inactive.”
Igboayaka’s statement was not just a warning—it was a damning critique of the South-East governors’ response to the rising insecurity. “Unfortunately, we have governors in South-East who are perceived as uncooperative regarding insecurity,” he said, pointing to the inadequate response of the local authorities to the growing threat of violence.
He further criticized Governor Nwifuru, saying his failure to act had led to numerous incidents of killings, kidnappings, and arson across the region. “We trust that Governor Francis Nwifuru and his team will carefully examine the various locations mentioned in the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) press statement issued at Abakaliki on 29th January 2025,” Igboayaka concluded, stressing the importance of proactive measures to prevent further bloodshed.
The Petition and the Arrest
Odanwu, the Ebonyi coordinator, did not take kindly to Igboayaka’s remarks. Speaking out on Monday, Odanwu revealed that his petition to the police was not a personal attack against Igboayaka but rather a necessary step to unravel the truth behind the OYC president’s alarming statements.
“We believe Igboayaka knows a lot that needs to be shared with security agencies,” Odanwu asserted. He further elaborated that Igboayaka’s warning about impending attacks—given just days before the massacre in Amagu—raised suspicions that he might have had prior knowledge about the attack.
“We strongly believe he had information that could have prevented the killings,” Odanwu said, his voice laced with concern. “Our people are scared, and we need answers.”
Igboayaka’s warning, which included an advisory for residents of Obeagu, Nkalaha, and Egedegede to strengthen their security networks, became a critical focal point after the attack occurred just two days later. Odanwu noted that the attack on Amagu, which followed Igboayaka’s prediction, had heightened suspicions about the OYC president’s role in the unfolding crisis.
“We took the lawful path of involving the police so he can share the same intelligence he claimed to have given the Governor,” Odanwu said, emphasizing that the petition was driven by a concern for public safety, not political rivalry.
The petition against Igboayaka was fueled by growing questions over how the OYC president could have had detailed information about the herdsmen’s movements in the state days before the attack. His claim that he had warned the governor of the impending danger raised eyebrows, with some questioning whether Igboayaka had been too quick to jump into the spotlight, or if he was indeed a key figure who knew more than he let on.
A Mysterious Abduction
To make matters even more complex, reports surfaced just days after Igboayaka’s statement that he had been abducted by unknown gunmen on the night of January 31, 2025. The OYC president had just been declared the winner of the OYC national convention when he was snatched from his hotel room at Ochez Suites, Works Layout, in Owerri, Imo State.
This abduction added an eerie layer of mystery to the entire situation, leaving many to wonder if Igboayaka’s arrest was connected to the previous abduction or if it was part of a larger, more intricate plot. While the police have yet to officially comment on the abduction, the timing of the arrest in relation to his disappearance raised concerns about the involvement of powerful forces behind the scenes.
The Bigger Picture: Ebonyi’s Rising Insecurity
The growing insecurity in Ebonyi State is becoming impossible to ignore, as attacks by suspected herdsmen and other violent groups continue to ravage the region. In the wake of the deadly Amagu attack, citizens have been left reeling from the shock, with many questioning the effectiveness of local authorities in protecting their lives and property.
Odanwu, who represents the people of Ishielu North, acknowledged the fear and uncertainty gripping the community. “Since Igboayaka’s first prediction came true, our people are apprehensive and scared of the unknown,” he said, further underscoring the need for a thorough investigation into Igboayaka’s claims.
“We cannot afford to sit idly by while our communities are at risk,” Odanwu declared. “This is not about politics. It’s about the safety of our people and ensuring that those with knowledge of these attacks are held accountable.”
As investigations continue, the fate of Igboayaka hangs in the balance. Whether he will be able to prove his innocence or whether the allegations against him will lead to further scrutiny remains to be seen. However, one thing is clear: Ebonyi’s security crisis is far from over, and the road ahead promises to be filled with more twists and turns. In the meantime, residents across the state remain on edge, hoping for clarity and justice in the face of mounting violence.
