At least 3 persons are reported missing and 4 houses razed as Okpu Itumo community was allegedly sacked following a clash between the Nigerian soldiers and the youths of the area.
DAILY POST gathered that the entire community fled to neighbouring communities which according to investigation paved way for hoodlums from Cross River state to invade the area and burnt down houses, shot one Duru John and cut off his head.
Meanwhile, the governor of Ebonyi State, chief David Umahi has visited the community alongside the representatives of the Commandant of Nkwagu military cantonment and commissioner of police to monitor the level of destruction of property, where he called on the youths to seize fire and maintain peace and order.
Umahi who was represented by the special adviser to the governor on security, Dr Kenneth Ugbala said the purpose of their visit was to appeal to the youths to be at peace with the soldiers who were posted to protect their lives and property.
He urged them to see the soldiers as their friends and should stop any attempt to cause further breach of peace and order, adding that they should not ask the soldiers to leave the community because no one knows what may happen.
Earlier in a remark, the chairman of Abakaliki LGA, Mr Emmanuel Nwangele said the soldiers were suppose to love the community but called on the youths to always report their problems to their leaders and not to take laws into their own hands.
“We came to inform our people to live in harmony with the soldiers who are protecting their lives and property. If there is any reason the youths should have disagreement with the soldiers, the should first report to their leaders, instead of taken laws into their own hands.
“We have told the entire community not to be afraid of the soldiers again and they should return back to their homes in which they have fled for fear of arrest,” he said.
Responding, the Eze of the community HRH Pius Nwangele said, “it was on Sunday that the soldiers and the youths had misunderstanding that resulted to a bad situation. The soldiers out of annoyance came and scattered the people in the community and because of that, Cross River people used the opportunity to invade our community, especially at Nworji market and razed down 4 houses including a hospital.
“On Tuesday, the problem escalated and I reported the matter to the chairman who also reached out to the governor. I don’t really know What caused the matter but what I was told was that the youths and the soldiers are having misunderstanding.
“The war was between Ebonyi and Cross River and the soldiers came to retore peace and order. Our 3 youths are missing since 3 days ago. We lost one Duru John, we know very well that it is Cross River people that shoot him to death and cut off his head” he added.
Also, the former senator who represented Ebonyi north in the National Assembly, senator Nguji Ngele said that the soldiers were capable of leveling the entire community in one day but appealed to both the youths and soldiers to love themselves.
In a swift reaction, the acting C.O, Major MP Ndanusa said, “I made it clear to the community that we in the army and other security agents are not here for the interest of Ebonyi or Cross River.
“If any one ask me why Ebonyi and Cross River are fighting, I don’t know. What I’m asked to do here is to ensure that there is peace and order in this community. We are here to stop the two states from fighting and that has been our stand,” he stated.
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