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Palpable tension has gripped the Ihetutu community in Ishiagu, Ivo local government area of Ebonyi state, following the alleged killing of two youths by soldiers attached to Palladium Mining Company.
The victims, Chibuike Elema, 18, and Obinna Joshua, 19, were reportedly shot dead midday on Sunday at the mining site after allegedly refusing to give money to the soldiers stationed there for security.
The incident sparked outrage among residents, particularly women and community leaders, who demanded an investigation into the killings and an end to what they described as the harsh treatment of community members by the company and security personnel.
Narrating the circumstances surrounding his son’s death, Mr Donatus Okoro said his 18-year-old son was called from home on Sunday morning to join other workers at the mining site but never returned alive.
He said eyewitnesses told him that the youths were returning from work when the soldiers allegedly demanded money from them and opened fire after they said they had none.
“My son was called from the house this morning to come and join them for Sunday work. While coming back along the road, according to people who witnessed what happened, the soldiers attached to a mining company called Palladium asked them to settle them.
“But they told the soldiers that they had no money. The soldiers raised their guns and reportedly shot them in the head,” Okoro alleged.
The grieving father appealed to the Ebonyi state government to investigate the incident and ensure that anyone found responsible was brought to justice.
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