By: Tosin Ajibade.

No fewer than 5 persons have reportedly fled Ezike community in Igbo-Eze local government area of Enugu State as a notorious gang, Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB has reportedly launched a manhunt for them over their refusal to join them.

The affected youths namely Emeka Ugwu, Udefuna Chidi, Ezuma Ahamefuna, Chinedu Emmanuel Asaiand Godson Ozemela, were said to have resisted forced attempts to have them initiated into the gang, a development that has cost them their freedom.

All the youths especially Chinedu Emmanuel Osai, sources close to their families hinted have beat under severe threats by leaders of the group resulting in the killing of his father Alfred Ossai during one of their invasion of his residence.

Chinedu was forcefully taken away with other youths of Ezike by the IPOB gang to their initiation ground to initiate them into their cult. This happened on 16th June 2019. When they refused to take the oath, they were beaten and inflicted injuries on them.

Chinedu was left for dead by the gang but he miraculously got resuscitated and escaped on the 13th of June and when they learnt he was still alive, they went to look for him in his father’s house and when they could not find him, they killed his 55 years old father Mr. Alfred Ossai with a warning to return to kill Chinedu.

The IPOB group police authorities said are responsible for the heightened tension in Ezike and environs as property and houses belonging to persons who are perceived as enemies are either destroyed or set ablaze.

As conflict between the mafia group and youths in the community continues to worsen, more youths are expected to flee from the community in order to avoid being trapped and murdered by the dangerous mafia group.