There was tension on Thursday January 30, 2025 at Ute-Okpu Kingdom in Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State, where kidnappers reportedly killed a member of Ute-Okpu vigilante. Late Mr. Ezekiel Dunkwu aka Epete, 65 years, was said to be a committed member of Ute-Okpu vigilante who selflessly and diligently served his father land with all his heart.

The ugly incident which has sent fear to the spines of many in Ute-Okpu and its environs, have left many worried and asked why are these abductors still in Ika land, even with the presence of the numerous security agencies in Ika nation. Three men were also said to have escaped from the den of the kidnappers, and a woman who was also abducted by these miscreants was said to have been released recently after an undisclosed ransom was paid.

Narrating to Ika Weekly Newspaper reporter, the son of the deceased, Mr. Onyeka Celestine said on that fateful day, he received a message that his father was missing, saying that he was shocked and his body was trembling. He stated that himself and his siblings and other family members as well as others who knew his father called his father’s phone but said the phone continuously rang but later went off completely.

Mr. Onyeka affirmed that the next day, himself and vigilante members from Ute-Okpu, Ute-Enugu, Otolokpo, and young men/boys in the community left in search of him in the bush. He pointed out that after many hours of combing the bush, they eventually found the lifeless body of his father, saying that the death of his father is indeed a huge loss to them, as he was the bread winner and pillar of the family.

Onyeka disclosed that the body of his late father was found along the farm path of Idumu-Ugbo, between Ute-Okpu and Otolokpo, saying that his father was shot from the back.
Mr. Onyeka, on behalf of his mother and siblings appealed to the government and well-to- do individuals as well as groups in Ika land to come to their aid, and also help them fish out those who sent their father to early grave.

Also speaking with the Press, the unit chairman of Ute-Okpu vigilante, Mr. Ekele Elukezi stated that after they closed their duty on that fateful day, the deceased said he was going to the farm, saying that after many hours, there was news that he never came back.

He averred that they quickly went in search of him in the bush, but said it was the next day that they saw him in the bush in his pool of his blood, saying that late Mr. Ezekiel Dunkwu served his community diligently, and was truly a committed member of Ute-Okpu vigilante.

The chairman noted that “Epete” as he was fondly called by many will ever remain in their heart, saying that members of Ute-Okpu vigilante will greatly miss him.

Source: Ika Weekly News