Bloody Friday In Aba As ASEPA Officials Allegedly Assault Contractor, Workers, Aba North Supervisory Councillor

• ..As residents demand justice and call on Governor Alex Otti to act swiftly

A disturbing scene unfolded on the morning of Friday, November 7, 2025, as officials of the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA), Aba Zone, allegedly unleashed a brutal assault on a contractor, Mr. Destiny Chimobiokwu, his workers, and the Aba North Local Government Supervisory Councillor for Health and environment, Hon. Chukwugirim Hilary Chukwugozie, opposite Christ Embassy and UBA Bank, by Bata Junction, Factory Road, Aba.

Eyewitness videos circulating on social media captured the shocking moment when the ASEPA operatives, led by a man identified as Elder Ijeoma Nwokoleme and his team, descended violently on the victims, an incident that has sparked outrage across the city and beyond.

According to multiple eyewitnesses present at the scene, the contractor, his workers, and Hon. Chukwugozie were merely carrying out official assignments and never attacked or provoked the ASEPA officials. Reports say one ASEPA staff on ground phoned his colleagues, who then stormed the location in multiple vehicles and pounced on the victims without asking questions, despite the Councillor identifying himself.

Hon. Chukwugozie narrated that he had been directed by the Deputy Chairman of Aba North, Hon. Christian Chijioke Ogbuisi, to visit the site following a distress call from the engineering contractor regarding an attempt by ASEPA operatives to cart away hardcore stones meant for filling designated erosion-prone areas within the Local Government.

According to him, even after introducing himself and clarifying that the materials were being used under instructions from the Council, ASEPA reinforcements arrived, attacked the contractor, his men, and himself, leaving them seriously injured. While Hon. Chukwugozie was filming the incident for evidence, the ASEPA operatives reportedly turned on him, beating him mercilessly before dragging him and others into their vehicle.

The Councillor and the contractor sustained multiple injuries from the assault.

Numerous sources have since confirmed that the same ASEPA team led by Elder Ijeoma Nwokoleme has been notorious for violent harassment, intimidation, and extortion of Aba residents, often hiding under the guise of environmental enforcement. Their alleged operations include forcibly collecting illegal “environmental levies” and brutalizing those who resist.

When contacted late Saturday night, the Deputy General Manager (DGM) of ASEPA, Aba Zone, Mr. Okezie Ezengwa, acknowledged receiving reports of the incident and promised to look into the matter.

However, furious residents and eyewitnesses are demanding immediate action from the Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, urging him to order a thorough investigation and dismiss the rogue ASEPA officials involved. They specifically named Elder Ijeoma Nwokoleme, Mr. Uche Nwangwa, and Richard Sunday as the key perpetrators and vowed to take legal action and stage a mass protest if the state government fails to act decisively.

Meanwhile, Mr. Destiny Chimobiokwu, the Managing Director of Don Destiny Global Links Ltd, a contractor under the Abia State Ministry of Works handling the Aba-Owerri Road drainage project has also condemned the barbaric act.

In his words:

“The viral video you saw is actually what transpired when the workers of ASEPA invaded the work environment and wanted to pack some of the working materials, including stones. My workers alerted me, and I came down.

“One of the ASEPA men said they wanted to use the stones at Enyimba area, and I permitted it the previous day before the Friday incident.

“Days later, been on that faithful Friday, the Deputy Mayor of Aba North has called earlier within the week, requesting the stones for another project, and I agreed. When ASEPA came again, I told them the stones were meant for Aba North officials, but they suddenly called for backup, beat up everyone, including the Supervisory Councillor, and nearly killed someone.

“All the workers are now in the hospital, receiving treatment at Family Care Hospital at Binez Hotels right. The ASEPA team even claimed the Governor instructed them to act that way, which I find impossible, the Governor I know would never authorize such barbarism.”

As at press time, victims of the assault remain hospitalized, with public outrage mounting. Residents insist that such lawless behavior by supposed government agents threatens Governor Otti’s clean governance image and must be addressed immediately.

The people of Aba are now watching closely, awaiting the Governor’s decisive action to cleanse ASEPA of violent and corrupt elements who are tarnishing the integrity of his administration and returning the city to the dark era of thuggery and intimidation.