People of Ezi-Obodo and Ezi-Okele Autonomous Communities in Owerri West LGA of Imo State, on Monday, May 18, 2026, staged a massive peaceful protest over the rising cases of insecurity, kidnapping, killings, and alleged attacks linked to suspected Fulani herders operating within the area.
The protest, which attracted over 1,500 persons, witnessed a large turnout of youths, women, elders, and community stakeholders who marched through major roads within the communities carrying placards with different inscriptions expressing their grievances and fears over the worsening security situation.
Many of the youths were dressed in black attires, while some carried cutlasses and sticks as a symbol of resistance against criminal activities in their communities.
Members of the Imo State Government security outfit were also present during the protest to maintain order and monitor the situation.
Some of the inscriptions displayed on the placards read: “Say No to Fulani Herders’ Operations in Our Land,” “Say No to Kidnapping,” “Say No to Insecurity,” “Say No to Killings,” “A Slap on One is a Slap on All,” “Eziobodo is Peaceful and Accommodating,” “Our Land, Our Pride,” “Say No to Bloodshed,” “Eziobodo is Formidable,” and “We Will Not Run Away Because of Herders.”
Addressing journalists during the protest, the Councillor representing Eziobodo/Ezi Okele Ward 5, (Alueze Ancient Kingdom) Hon. Chijioke Echendu, condemned the recurring security incidents within the area and appealed to security agencies and the administration of Governor Hope Uzodimma to urgently intervene and protect residents from criminal elements operating within the forests and bushes surrounding the communities.
Hon. Echendu, however, debunked reports circulating on social media alleging that about 40 persons were killed in Eziobodo, describing the claim as false, misleading, and capable of causing unnecessary panic among residents and the general public.
According to him, although there have been isolated incidents of kidnapping and attacks within parts of Owerri West, such incidents should not be exaggerated or misrepresented as a total invasion or massacre in Eziobodo.
The Councillor stated that the Imo State Government, under the leadership of Governor Hope Uzodimma, has continued to support security operations across various communities in the state.
He disclosed that local vigilante groups, in collaboration with officers of the Owerri West Police Division, regularly conduct patrol operations within Eziobodo and neighbouring communities to safeguard lives and property.
He further noted that traditional rulers within the area, including Eze Lucky Okoro and Eze Richard Osuji, alongside President Generals of the affected communities, have not issued any evacuation notice or emergency security declaration concerning Eziobodo.
Speaking on some of the recent incidents recorded within the area, Hon. Echendu explained that one of the reported attacks occurred around the FUTO back gate axis along the road linking Ihiagwa and FUTO, where an Okada rider and his passenger were allegedly kidnapped.
He clarified that although the rider was from Eziobodo, the incident did not amount to an invasion of the community.
He also recounted another incident involving a woman and her daughter who were reportedly kidnapped while returning from Ihiagwa to Eziobodo.
According to him, the hoodlums allegedly attempted to abduct more persons along the same route, leading to the shooting of an Okada rider who later died at the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri.
The Councillor added that four other persons reportedly sustained machete injuries during the attack as the criminals attempted to stop motorcycles conveying commuters for possible abduction.
While condemning the attacks and acts of violence, Hon. Echendu maintained that misinformation and exaggerated reports circulating online were worsening fear among residents and damaging the image of the community.
He identified the spread of old videos from other states falsely presented as incidents from Eziobodo, political propaganda, financial interests, and social media exaggerations as some of the reasons behind the false narratives being circulated online.
Hon. Echendu urged residents and members of the public to always verify information before sharing it on social media platforms.
He advised people to confirm the authenticity, location, and dates of videos or voice notes relating to security incidents before circulating them.
The Legislators further encouraged residents to promptly report suspicious movements and criminal activities to the Owerri West Police Division, local vigilante groups, or traditional rulers rather than spreading panic through WhatsApp and other social media platforms.
Also speaking, the Councillor representing the area, Hon. Chijioke Echendu, attributed the worsening insecurity to the deplorable condition of roads leading to the community.
According to him, the poor state of the roads has continued to create opportunities for criminal activities and hinder effective security operations.
He passionately appealed to the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, to urgently intervene by rehabilitating the affected roads.
Hon. Echendu further disclosed that about 70 percent of the land occupied by the Federal University of Technology Owerri originally belongs to his community.
The vibrant Councillor, Hon.Chijioke, however, lamented that despite the community’s significant contribution through the provision of land for the institution, the people have not benefitted meaningfully from the management and operations of the university.
Also speaking, the Head of Security in the area, Deacon Chiben Okere, strongly condemned the attacks allegedly carried out by suspected herders and other criminal elements within the communities.
Deacon Okere warned that residents of Ezi-Obodo and Ezi-Okele would no longer tolerate acts of kidnapping, killings, intimidation, or any form of insecurity threatening the peace of the area.
He assured the people that local security operatives and vigilante groups were fully alert and prepared to collaborate with conventional security agencies to protect lives and property.
The security head further warned criminal elements and suspected attackers to stay away from the communities, stressing that any attempt to repeat such acts of violence would be firmly resisted within the confines of the law.
“We are peace loving people, but we will not fold our arms and allow criminals to continue terrorising our communities. Enough is enough;
“We condemn these attacks and warn against any reoccurrence,” Deacon Okere stated.
The protest ended peacefully, with community leaders, youths, and residents reaffirming their commitment to maintaining peace, unity, vigilance, and lawful collaboration with security agencies to protect their communities from criminal activities.
Also, speaking during the protest, a notable youth leader from the community, Prince Chima Okoro, expressed deep concern over the persistent harassment and intimidation allegedly being perpetrated by suspected herders and other criminal elements against the people of the area.
Prince Okoro, stated that the residents are no longer comfortable with the growing insecurity and appealed to the Imo State Government to urgently assist in strengthening security within the community to safeguard lives and property.
