Sequel to the rifts that engulfed at Ekoli Edda Community in Afikpo South LGA, Ebonyi State on 26th December, 2022 which led to the death of three persons, burning of houses, vehicles and destruction of other valuable properties, the Ebonyi State Police Command have arrested a suspected EBUBEAGU operative one Mr —–and other twenty five persons.
The State Police Public relation officer DSP Christ Anyanwu confirmed the arrest to newsmen in Abakaliki, the State capital.
According to DSP Anyanwu, the arrested suspects included – Hon Eni Uduma Chima
–Hon. Stanley Okoro Emegha
–Kenneth Okoro Agha A.K.A Mukoro
–Azubuike Okoro
–Okporie Nnanna Oti
–Egwu Famous Chinedu
–Chimeremeze Stephen Umeh
–Oburu Okoro Orji
–Uka Amah Orji
–Orji David
–Aku Sunday
–Oledi Philip
–Onyemuche Uka Ama
–Igwe Okoro Ozi
–Eni Kalu Eni
–Chima Nnachi Kalu
–Chinecherem Orji Morgan
–Chima Oke Nkama
–Okechukwu Mba
–Okoro Ifeanyi
–Ukam Igbor
–Nnamdi Omeoha
–Okechukwu Omiko
–Obinna Ugoba
–Onuorah Nnamdi Isaac
–Tochukwu Alo
He disclosed that exhibits recovered from the suspects included one AK47 rifle and its live ammunition, two pump-action rifles, one dane gun, one village gong, one trumpet, three AK47 magazines.
He noted that fourteen out of the twenty six suspects would be arraigned in the Court for conspiracy, armed robbery, arson, unlawful possession of weapons and malicious damages.
He further said, the Commissioner of police in the State advised youths across Communities and clans in the State to avoid such heinous crimes as anybody caught would face wrath of the law.
He stated thus
“The protracted political rivalry/supremacy struggle between the duo, is the cause of the showdown that took place. Interestingly, the two political stalwarts hail from same community, belong to same political party and even live in close proximity.
“The visit of the APC Chairman to his village on the fateful day, with his aides, infuriated the fragment of the youths in the area who are purportedly adherents of Hon Eni Uduma Chima, hence the showdown that ensued”
“The war songs chanted by one of the suspects, Egwu Famous Chinedu, the Town Crier, was said to have chanted war songs, “amidst hitting/blowing of his gong/trumpet, respectively, which galvanized the youth into further àction, hence, the rampage and escalation of the brouhaha”.
“The investigation further revealed that an attempt to arrest one Aruah said to be the leader of the Ekoli-Edda Youth warriors, brought in the warriors who were reserved for the purpose of fighting in the Boundary Dispute between them and a neighbouring community in Cross River State. The said warriors wielded sophisticated prohibited firearms and their actions further degenerated the situation.
He commended , the timely response of the State Governor, Engr David Umahi, who immediately ordered for the arrest of the suspects, called on the youths of the area to learn from the lessons thereof and avoid all forms of crime and criminality.
It would be recalled that 3 persons including a police inspector lost their lives, and properties worth millions, including a house belonging to the APC chairman, Mr Stanley Okoro Emegha were destroyed.
