The House of Representatives has directed its committee on Public Petitions to look into the allegations of abduction, unlawful imprisonment of Ohanaeze Youth Council President, Comrade Igboayaka Igboayaka.
The lawmakers gave the directive when they received a petition on the above subject from the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), an Igbo Youths sociocultural organisation, presented by the member representing Ideato North South Federal Constituency, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere.
The youth group had in a letter dated 5th March, signed by Iheanyichukwu Nweke, Secretary General, OYC and Comrade Michael Ukpabi Publicity Secretary, OYC and addressed to the lawmaker recalled the recent ethnic violence perpetrated by herdsmen on Sunday 2nd February 2025 at Amegu Nkalagha Ishielu in Ebonyi State.
The incident led to the death of over 20 persons with many houses burnt down, after which Igboayaka issued a statement calling on the Governor to take immediate action to address the gradual expansion of the presence of herdsmen in Ebonyi State.
The group lamented that whereas the statement is designed to call the government to action and do something about the risk which the presence of fulani herdsmen portends for the state, they are unable to fathom the basis for the arrest of their national president.
They therefore prayed to the lawmakers to, “demand immediate and unconditional release of the President of Ohaneeze Youth Council (OYC), Comrade igboayaka. Urge the Police to charge the matter to a court of competent jurisdiction where Comrade Igboayaka will get a fair trial, without the Interference of the ‘forces that be.’
“Urge the Ebonyi State Governor to desist from any form of harassment of Comrade Igboayaka or any other member of the Ohanaeze Youth Council for that matter, While looking forward to your immediate action in this regard, we say a BIG THANK YOU for being a great voice for the Nigerian masses. May you live long, the grest thenga of Nigeria.”
Presenting the petition at the plenary on Thursday, Ugochinyere said, “They are seeking the intervention of the House of Representatives in addressing the unlawful arrest, illegal detention and ‘abduction’ of Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, National President of the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC). The facts of the petition are contained in a copy of the petition attached herewith. Accept Mr. Speaker, the assurance of my esteemed regards.”
He laid the petition and was thereafter referred to Commitee on Public Petitions by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abass, who presided over the session.