Residents of Ihetutu community in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State are mourning the alleged killing of two youths by soldiers reportedly attached to Palladium Mining Company, as the state government orders an investigation and seals the mining facility pending the restoration of peace.
The victims, identified as Chibuike Elema, 18, and Obinna Gideon Akandu, 20, were reportedly shot dead on Sunday under circumstances that have triggered outrage among residents and demands for justice. Meanwhile, Palladium Mining Company, also known as Ambertone Logistics Ltd, is said to have begun efforts to engage the bereaved families and the community to restore peace.
Key Highlights
- Two youths, Chibuike Elema and Obinna Gideon Akandu, were reportedly shot dead in Ihetutu, Ebonyi State.
- The victims’ families alleged that soldiers demanded money before the shooting.
- Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru condemned the killings and called for calm.
- The state government ordered the mining facility sealed pending the restoration of peace and the pursuit of justice.
- The military confirmed that an investigation was ongoing.
- Palladium Mining Company is reportedly taking steps to engage the bereaved families and the community.
Families Accuse Soldiers of Shooting Two Youths
The families of the deceased alleged that the youths were shot after refusing to give money to soldiers reportedly attached to the mining company.
Community members are demanding a thorough investigation into the incident and an end to what they describe as intimidation and mistreatment by security personnel.
According to information gathered by our reporter, the soldiers allegedly involved were not assigned by the company to carry out any undercover operation on the day of the incident. The circumstances surrounding their presence at the location, however, remain subject to investigation.
Narrating the circumstances surrounding his son’s death, Mr Donatus Okoro, father of Chibuike Elema, said the 18-year-old had been called from home on Sunday morning to join other workers at the mining site.
He said eyewitnesses told him that the youths were returning from work when soldiers allegedly stopped them and demanded money.
According to Okoro, the youths explained that they had no money to give the soldiers, who allegedly opened fire on them.
“My son was called from the house this morning to come and join them for Sunday work. While coming back along the road, according to people who witnessed what happened, the soldiers attached to a mining company called Palladium asked them to settle them.
“But they told the soldiers that they were not with anything. The soldiers raised their guns and shot them in the head,” Okoro alleged.
The allegations have heightened tensions in the community, with residents calling on the relevant authorities to establish what happened and hold anyone found responsible accountable.
Second Victim Was Ebonyi State University Student
The second victim, Obinna Gideon Akandu, was identified as the son of a serving councillor representing Ihetutu community in Ivo Local Government Area.
Akandu was a second-year student in the Department of Economics at Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Abakaliki.
His father, Mr Joshua Akandu, described his son’s death as painful and maintained that the young man had done nothing wrong.
He said Akandu had returned to the community on Friday afternoon after his examinations were postponed. According to him, his son went to the farm on Sunday and was allegedly shot while returning.
“My son was innocent. He just went to the farm, and while coming back, they shot him on the road,” Akandu said.
The deaths have left the families grieving and intensified calls for an impartial investigation into the alleged shootings.
Ivo Council Chairman Appeals for Calm
The Chairman of Ivo Local Government Area, Chief Michael Anyim, said the community had maintained a peaceful relationship with soldiers deployed to the area before the incident.
He expressed concern over the deaths, describing the killings as unwarranted and unnecessary.
Anyim appealed to aggrieved youths to refrain from further attacks, arson or destruction of the mining company’s property.
He assured residents that the local government would work with the Ebonyi State Government and the Nigerian Army to ensure that justice was pursued for the victims and their families.
Residents have also called for an impartial investigation by the state government and relevant security authorities to establish the circumstances surrounding the shootings.
Ebonyi Government Seals Mining Facility, Orders Investigation
The Ebonyi State Government has condemned the killing of the two youths and announced the sealing of the mining company pending the restoration of peace and the pursuit of justice.
Governor Francis Nwifuru, who condemned the incident during a visit to the community, described the killings as tragic and regrettable.
He urged youths in the area to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding while the authorities investigate the incident.
The governor was represented during the visit by the Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development, Chief Chinedum Nkah.
According to the report, Nkah disclosed that the soldier allegedly involved in the incident had been taken into custody and that a full investigation had commenced to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The government’s intervention comes amid growing demands from residents for accountability and measures to prevent a recurrence.
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Military Confirms Investigation into Ihetutu Shootings
The Commanding Officer of the Nkwagu Military Cantonment, 24 Support Engineer Regiment, Abakaliki, Lieutenant Colonel Ikenna Emmanuel Chielo, confirmed the incident during a telephone conversation with our reporter.
He said military personnel had visited the scene and that investigations were ongoing.
“We were at the scene yesterday (on Thursday), investigation is ongoing, let’s be patient to get the full details,” Chielo said.
His comments indicate that the military is investigating the incident, although the full circumstances surrounding the shootings and the allegations against the personnel involved have yet to be established.
Palladium Mining Company Moves to Restore Peace
Meanwhile, an investigation by our reporter indicates that Palladium Mining Company is taking steps to address the impact of the incident and prevent further deterioration of relations with the host community.
The company is reportedly initiating a humanitarian engagement process aimed at reaching out to the bereaved families and the wider community in an effort to restore peace.
The initiative is also intended to preserve the longstanding relationship between the mining company and Ihetutu residents.
However, the reported engagement comes as families and community members continue to demand justice for the deceased youths.
For the bereaved families, residents and local authorities, the immediate priority remains a credible investigation, accountability for anyone found culpable and measures to prevent similar incidents.
As the community mourns Chibuike Elema and Obinna Gideon Akandu, residents are urging the authorities to ensure that the pursuit of justice is matched by concrete steps to restore lasting peace in Ihetutu.
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