Elderly women and men numbering over fifty from Ndukwe autonomous community in Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, have protested and demanded the release of two of their sons, who were allegedly arrested by soldiers of Nkwegu Military Cantonment.
The aged persons were at the Nkwegu Military Cantonment on Thursday to ask for the release of one Lawrence Ikpe and Onwuamaeze Uche, who were allegedly arrested by suspected soldiers during a security meeting held at Afikpo Local Government Area on 10th March 2025.
Until their arrest, Onwuamaeze Uche and Lawrence Ikpe were Ndukwe community Youth Leader and Chairman Uke Ndukwe Ruling Council respectively.
At the Nkwegu Military Cantonment, the aged women were seen sprawling, rolling, sitting on the ground and begging for the release of their sons.
It was gathered that their arrest followed the crisis between Amasiri and the people of Edda in Edda Local Government Area during which five persons were allegedly kidnapped and killed when they went to clear grasses at one of the primary schools in preparation for resumption penultimate week.
During an interview with one of the protesting elders from the community, Simon Eze Idam, he said that they were at the cantonment to demand unconditional release of their sons, since according to him they have not committed any offence to warrant arrest.
“We the elders of Ndukwe autonomous community from Afikpo local government area of Ebonyi State are here today in Nkwegu military cantonment to appeal for release of our sons; Lawrence Ikpe and Onwuameze Caleb Uche arrested on the 10th of March 2025.
“The youths went to clear grasses at Akante Ndukwe primary school in preparation for our children school reopening when they were attacked by Edda people. Five of them were kidnapped. As if that was not enough, when the council chairman called for peace meeting two of our youths were arrested at the meeting venue by men of the Nigerian Army.
“Since that day, we have been sending delegates to come and meet the Army Commandant on moves to release the arrested youth leaders, but all to no avail . That is why we the elders both men and women are here to see the Commandant ourselves.
“Unfortunately, the Commandant is not on seat. We were told he accompanied the state Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru and other stakeholders to Effium community where land demarcation is expected to take place today as a measure to stop the crisis they have there.
“We appeal for release of our sons, that’s all’, he said.
Meanwhile, efforts to speak with the cantonment Commandant were unsuccessful at the time of the report.