Suspected soldiers kill two youths in Ebonyi State

Two youths, 18-year-old Chibuike Elema and 19-year-old Obinna Joshua, were shot dead on Sunday at a Palladium Mining Company site in Ihetutu, Ebonyi State. Residents and Chibuike’s father, Donatus Okoro, said soldiers attached to the mine allegedly opened fire after the youths refused to give them money while returning from work. The father and community leaders called for an impartial investigation and for anyone responsible to be brought to justice. The killings sparked grief and anger, with residents saying the youths should have been handed over to police rather than subjected to lethal force.