The killing took place on Friday morning in the town of Konchi Kebele, Nono Benja Woreda, Jimma Zone, in the Oromia region of Alemayehu At...
The killing took place on Friday morning in the town of Konchi Kebele, Nono Benja Woreda, Jimma Zone, in the Oromia region of Alemayehu Atomsa.
In addition to those killed in the attack, two people were injured and survived and were taken to a nearby hospital.
Seven of the eight people killed were close relatives of the former president, one of whom was a neighbor, his family told the BBC.
Among the dead were elderly men over the age of 75, as well as a mother and a 25-year-old daughter.
The family believes the killing was "deliberate," adding that the gunmen used bullets and knives to carry out the killings.
The Senegalese Liberation Front (OLF), which has been branded a terrorist by the government, has been blamed, but the militant group has not responded to a BBC request for comment.
The Ethiopian government, the so-called Oromo Liberation Army (OLF), has reached an agreement with the TPLF to form a military alliance, both of which are classified as terrorist groups.
In addition to last week's killings, at least 17 homes and crops were set on fire in the area, local media reported.
Family members who remain in the area say they are still worried and unable to keep their loved ones in mourning.
The TPLF and the Oromo Liberation Army have agreed to cooperate
At least '20 people killed in Jimma zone attack
What happened on Friday, December 15?
The killing took place in Alemayehu Atomsa village between 3 and 4 am on Friday, December 26, 2014, Nono Benja Woreda Administrator Kumera Diga told the BBC.
He said the three killed were the older brothers of former Oromia regional president Alemayehu Atomsa and the father of several children.
"Eight bodies were found; two people were taken to a medical facility," Kumra told the BBC.
Msoto Atomsa, one of the three brothers, is said to be over 75 years old and the father of nine children.
Tintin Atomsa is over 70 years old and the father of eight children.
Adeba Atomsa, estimated to be over 50 years old, is the father of eight children, his family has told the BBC.
Asked about the attack, Tintin's son Adane said: "People were cautious and scared, but no one expected this to happen."
"My father and his older brother were killed by four bullets at the same place. He was an elder, a mediator, a respected member of the community," he added.
He told the BBC he had heard from his family that the killings were carried out by gunmen.
Addisu Adebam confirmed to the BBC that his father, Adeba Atomsa, had been killed by gunmen.
"The house was set on fire. The killings took place in the village where they live. Msoto and Tint Atomsa were killed in the same house. My father died alone in the house.
"Unfortunately, Msoto Atomsa was a weak old man who could not even be seen. He was killed in his home," he told the BBC.
In addition to the three brothers, four of the five people killed by the militants were relatives of Msoto Atomsa, according to their families.
He added that in addition to the killings, the surviving family members are in serious danger.
"They are not mourning the loss of their relatives. They have spent the night in the bush. They are in great danger. We are in great danger for the dead."
Is the family targeted?
The families of the victims said they believed their family members had been targeted, and the district administrator said the killings were "not accidental."
"According to our information, the attack took place on purpose. They did not stop and shoot at anyone else. They did not set fire to another house. They set fire to houses in a village and killed civilians. Kumara told the BBC.
Local militants were not present at the time of the killing, and the individuals were said to be in their homes and surroundings.
Another family member testified that he had heard a man walking in front of the attackers.
"Very few houses were burnt down by non-relatives. It was started by our relatives, so it was organized," Adane told the BBC.
He added: "It was none other than an armed group that carried out the killings. It happened during the day."
Another family member we spoke to said that the killings were carried out by gunmen.
What was the cause of the attack?
Konchi Kebele is bordered by Wama Bonia Woreda, East Welega Zone.
According to residents and the local administrator, the militants are based in Yade Hunda Kebele in the neighboring zone.
At various times, the militants tried to enter Konchi Kebele. According to the families of the victims, two days before the killing, gunmen came to Konchi Kebele and opened fire.
Government security forces later claimed to have killed two of the militants.
He further added that the militants had joined forces and attacked residents in the absence of government security forces.
He also mentioned that he was a relative of Alemayehu, the chairman of Konchi Kebele, and that he thought he could be the target of the attack.
He also explained that he was a local militia member of a deceased child. He added that he believed it was "outrageous.... If we lose you, we will lose your family."
In the past, the Oromo Liberation Army has targeted members of the government, kebele chairpersons, militias, and government officials in various parts of Oromia, targeting police.
Asked if he believed the family might have been targeted because Alemayehu was in charge of the Oromia region, he said he was skeptical.
But Alemayehu says his family did not "use anything special" during his tenure.
The woreda administrator, for his part, said Konchi kebele was the target of the attack because of its 'unwillingness to accept militants'.
The movement of militants
The Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) has been active in western and southern Oromia, but over the past year it has expanded its presence to eastern Welega, Horo Guduru and West Shoa.
The militant group has previously been blamed by residents, government and human rights groups for a series of killings in the Oromia region.
But the group does not accept the allegations.
Asked about the identities of the militants, the district administrator replied, "No one is operating in East Wolga except Shen."
Last year, residents in Jimma Zone, Limu Kosa Woreda, blamed Oromo Liberation Army for the killing of civilians.
Prior to last Friday's murder, January 2013
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