Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki
Suspected Hoodlums yesterday night invaded Nkalagu community in Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State and attacked villages injuring over 10 persons, destroyed buildings, set ablaze motorcycles, cash and carted away other valuables worth millions of Niara.
Some of those whose buildings were destroyed by the hoodlums include; the Acting Traditional Ruler of Nkalagu community, Eze Livinus Umeanu; the Town Union President, Nkalagu community, Mr. Omaba Joseph; the Village Chief of Imeoha, Chief James Mbagu.
Others are the Councillor Representing Nkalagu ward, Hon Ofor Awara and the traditional Prime Minister, Nkalagu community, Chief Emmanuel Agaeze.
THISDAY gathered that motorcycles numbering about five were set ablaze, undisclosed amount of money were also burnt while other items destroyed by the thugs includes, four deep freezers, water tanks, two generating sets and other household appliances.
Narrating their ordeal, the Town Union President, Mr. Omabe Joseph, said that trouble started when the community rose against, a youth leader in the community, Mr. Emeka Onukwube and his gang who specialise in vandalising the properties of Nigercem Company in the community.
Omaba regretted that despite the efforts of Chief Cletus Ibeto to revive the premier cement factory in the community, Mr. Onukwube and his gang go into the factory armed, cart away equipment of the company and sell
them as scraps to waiting buyers.
He noted that when the community realised what was happening, they mobilised security personnel who accosted them and ensured that their activities were stopped, adding that the community also removed him as the youth leader.
The Town Union President noted that Mr. Onukwube had vowed to create crisis in the community and also ensured that anyone who has a hand in his suspension as youth leader and stoppage of his activities would face his wrath.
Omaba stated that Mr. Onukwube on Wednesday, had a fight with his cousin who was also against his activities in the community ,adding that after the fight over land issues, he left and mobilised the hoodlums who invaded the community, attacked people and destroyed properties worth millions.
He also alleged that the hoodlums were acting on the instruction of a National Assembly member whom he said used the thugs to unleash mayhem on his supposed political enemies.
Another victim, Mr. Awara Sampson, who described the attack on the community as unfortunate called on the Commissioner for Police, the Director of the State Security Service and the State government to ensure the arrest of those who masterminded the attacks on the members of the community.
Mr. Awara cautioned against using thugs to attack innocent members of the community by the National Assembly member adding that the community will continue to protect the equipment at the cement factory against those who are against the revival of the company.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Loveth Odah, who hails from the Local Government Area said that she is yet to be briefed by the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Ishielu Division.
She promised to brief journalists on the matter after getting official report from the DPO.
Meanwhile, the council chairman, Hon. Sunday Eze has appealed to residents in community to be calm and law abiding as he was on top of the situation to avoid further breakdown of law and order in the co
