Ebonyi Communal Clash: Body of missing 53-year-old man found in bag after 6 days

The body of a missing 53-year-old man, Joseph Isu, was on Monday found inside a cellophane bag six days after he was announced missing by the family members.

Late Isu who hails from Amata-Akpoha in Afikpo North Local Government Area was announced missing when a communal clash erupted last week with neighbouring community, Ezeke Amasiri in the area.

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Daily Trust gathered that the deceased was tied, with a large stone to his neck and a gunshot injury in his right leg.

Also, Isu’s stomach was also cut wide open by his killers.

His death has caused panic among the two sister communities.

The people of Ezeke-Amasiri and their neighbouring sister community from Amata- Akpoha both in Afikpo North Local Government of Ebonyi state, recently engaged themselves in communal clash which left eight persons wounded.

The cause of the crisis was ownership tussle over a section of land where a quarry is being excavated in the area.

Those who were injured are currently receiving treatment in hospital.

The body of late Isu was found by a search party organised by the Afikpo North Divisional Police Officer (DPO).

The corpse has been deposited at the Mater Hospital Mortuary, Afikpo for an autopsy to be carried out on it.

Also, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Loveth Odah confirmed the story.

“You would recall that on September 28 one Joseph Isu, aged 53 years, was declared missing by the family after the attack on Amata Akpoha people by suspected Ezeke Amasiri Community over land/quarry ownership where about three persons were also reported injured and were taken to the hospital for medical treatment.

“The search party organised by the Afikpo North Divisional Police Officer (DPO) recovered the body of the said late Mr. Joseph packaged in a cellophane bag with heavy stone hanged round his neck, with gunshot injury on his right leg and his stomach cut wide open.

“The corpse has been deposited at Matha memorial Hospital Mortuary for preservation and autopsy.”

Similarly, Chairman of the local government, Obiageri Oko Enyim, condemned the incident and urged security agencies to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators of the barbaric act so as to serve as a deterrent to others.