Unknown gunmen reportedly attacked Nkwekendiagu village, in Effium in the Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

The gunmen were said to have invaded the village early hours on Thursday, at least 15 persons were killed, and about 200 houses were burnt, including a fuel station located in the area.

According to verified reports from Obinwannem News, a resident who encountered the crisis, fled from the village as Effium warriors were alleged to have had a hand in the attack.

He affirmed, “yes, the Effium warriors attacked the village called Nkwekendiagu and killed more than 15 persons and burnt more than 200 houses including fuel station.”

The attack, Ohaukwu LGA has been recurrent in recent weeks. On March 9, suspected gunmen from Uffiom attacked Omege people of Ebonyi state, killing people in their dozens.

However, it was gathered that houses were equally burnt and five persons kidnapped from Omege village.

Apparently, the crisis ensued as a result of a misunderstanding between two factions of the Effium branch of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, over which group to be in charge of collecting revenue in the Effium motor park.

Residents of the area, confirmed that 1000 persons had been killed in the crisis, but the Ebonyi State government had down-played the incident, claiming that only eight persons were killed.

Governor David Umahi had vowed not to free the stakeholders until peace returned; although he made a U-turn last week, by releasing them with a charge to their area, assuring that absolute peace returned.

The stakeholders in compliance with the government directive, returned home to preach peace to their people, but fillers from the areas indicate that their effort yielded no result, as hostilities between the two communities have continued to persist.

Lolo Ijeoma Njoku reporting, Obinwannem News