From Battlefield to Captivity: The Story of Mr. Uwa Okonko, A Retired Soldier From Amauzu Ezeke Amasiri Abducted by Edda Militia

 

Mr. Uwa Okonko is not just another name in the village. He is a decorated veteran, a man whose life was defined by courage, discipline, and service to his nation. A retired Nigerian soldier who fought bravely across several West African countries and deep in Nigeria’s own terror-ridden Sambisa Forest, Mr. Okonko had hoped to live the rest of his life in peace, farming on the ancestral land he once fought to protect. But fate dealt him a cruel twist.

 

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Just few years into his quiet retirement in his hometown of Amasiri in Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, tragedy struck.

 

On a calm morning, Mr. Okonko and his wife set out for their farm near the Amasiri-Edda boundary to harvest cassava—something they had done countless times. But this time, they never returned.

 

According to eyewitnesses and local sources, the couple was abducted by armed men suspected to be members of the Edda militia group—an armed faction from the neighboring community of Edda in Afikpo South LGA. The attack sent shockwaves through Amasiri, a community already grappling with fear due to ongoing land disputes and increasing violence along the boundary.

 

To the people of Amauzu Ezeke and the entire Amasiri, Mr. Okonko’s abduction is more than just another crime—it is a heartbreaking betrayal of a national hero. This was a man who served with distinction in peacekeeping missions in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Mali. He had faced enemy fire in some of the most dangerous conflict zones in Africa and survived ambushes in the infamous Sambisa Forest while combating insurgents. That such a man would be abducted in his own homeland, by fellow Nigerians, is a tragedy too painful to bear.

 

“He served this country without fear. He fought Boko Haram in the North-East. He risked his life in foreign lands to keep peace. And now, after all of that, to be kidnapped like a common criminal while farming with his wife—it is shameful,” said Mr. Chibuike , a longtime friend and fellow veteran.

 

Community leaders and residents are pointing fingers at the lack of security presence and weak government response to the activities of the Edda militia group. The attackers, they say, not only abduct citizens but also mount illegal roadblocks, stopping and searching vehicles as though they are above the law.

“They roam the roads with guns, harassing innocent travelers. Now, they’ve taken one of our finest sons. We want the government to act immediately,” said Chief Nnachi Ogbonna, the village Chief.

 

Mr. Okonko’s wife is also believed to be in captivity. Their family, including their children who live in the village are living in anguish, unsure of their parents’ condition or whereabouts.

 

The Amasiri community is now demanding swift action from the Ebonyi State government, security agencies, and human rights organizations. They are calling for the immediate release of Mr. Okonko and his wife and urging authorities to disarm and dismantle the militia group before the region descends into full-blown conflict.

 

For a man who fought for peace all his life, Mr. Uwa Okonko deserves better. His abduction is a sobering reminder of the growing security crisis facing rural communities in Nigeria, where heroes are forgotten, and justice is long delayed.

Until he is found and returned safely, Amasiri will not rest.

 

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Mr. Okonko and his wife is urged to contact local authorities immediately. Their safe return remains a matter of urgent national concern.