Reps To Probe Ebonyi Gov, Police Over Alleged Abduction, Torture Of Ohanaeze Youth President

The House of Representatives has directed its Committee on Public Petitions to investigate the allegations of abduction and unlawful imprisonment of Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, the Ohanaeze Youth Council President. This decision came after the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) submitted a petition to the lawmakers regarding the incident.

The petition was presented by Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, who represents the Ideato North/South Federal Constituency in Imo State, at the plenary session on Thursday.

In the petition, the Ohanaeze Youth Council detailed the events that led to the alleged unlawful detention of their President. According to the letter, on February 2, 2025, after the ethnic violence in Amegu Nkalagha Tshielu in Ebonyi State, where over 20 people were killed and several houses destroyed by suspected herdsmen, Comrade Igboayaka issued a statement urging the state government to take action against the growing threat posed by the presence of herdsmen.

The youth group expressed confusion and frustration, noting that while the statement was intended to prompt government action to address the security concerns, it seemed to have led to the arrest of their President. They have called on the House of Representatives to intervene and demand the immediate and unconditional release of Comrade Igboayaka, urging that he should be tried in a court of competent jurisdiction to ensure a fair trial, free from political interference.

Additionally, the youth group requested that the Ebonyi State Governor desist from any further harassment of Comrade Igboayaka or any other member of the Ohanaeze Youth Council.

Presenting the petition at the House plenary, Hon. Ugochinyere stated that they were seeking the intervention of the House in addressing the illegal detention, abduction, and torture of Comrade Igboayaka, highlighting the significance of the issue for the Igbo Youths and for the broader socio-political environment in the country.

After reviewing the petition, Speaker Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas referred the matter to the House Committee on Public Petitions for further investigation. The committee is now tasked with probing the allegations and ensuring a fair resolution to the case.