3 killed in Ebubeagu, Ebonyi youths clash

 Umahi orders arrest of state APC chairman, Reps candidate 

There was tension yesterday in Ekoli Edda community in Afikpo South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, when a middle-aged man, Eseni Kalu Egwu, and two others yet to be identified were allegedly shot and killed by members of Ebubeagu security outfit. 

The incident occurred when members of the Ebebeagu security outfit clashed with youths of the area. The brother of the deceased, Mission Kalu, said his late brother was shot and killed by the Ebubeagu operatives, who were shooting sporadically while trying to arrest a man in the community. 

A source in the community said the incident happened when the state Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Stanley Okoro-Emegha, arrived at the community with Ebubeagu operatives. It was gathered that a few hours after the clash, some hoodlums marched to the home of the APC chairman and set it ablaze. 

Police Public Relations Officer, Chris Anyanwu, could not be reached for comment. But the state APC chairman, who is also the Security Consultant to Ebonyi State Government, Stanley Okoro-Emegha, confirmed the incident. He, however, said he was attacked by thugs loyal to a politician in the area, saying his house had equally been burnt by the miscreants. He said: “Yes. It’s true. They attacked me at Ekoli Edda community, and the same people, some of whom I know, I have just heard, burnt my house. They attacked me and they are the people that burnt my house. I call on the police and other security agencies to swing into action. They know what to do to unravel the truth of the matter. They know what to do,” he said.

Meanwhile Governor David Umahi has ordered the arrest of the state All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman, Chief Stanley Okoro-Emegha, and a party Chieftain, Chief Eni Chima, over communal unrest. 

The order of arrest was contained in a statement signed by the governor’s Special Assistant on Media and Strategy, Mr Chooks Oko, and made available to journalists yesterday. The statement noted that the governor, during an  assessment tour of the area to determine the level of damages, expressed dismay at the unfortunate development. He, therefore, directed the state commissioner of police to arrest all those connected with the carnage and ensure they face justice. The governor announced the suspension of all social gatherings in Edda until normalcy returns. 

He also urged the commissioner of police to deploy adequate security presence in the area to forestall further breakdown of law and order,” the statement read.

(Continued on www.sunnewsonline.com)

The governor’s aide remarked that the entire  Ekoli-Edda has been cordoned off by a combined team of the Police, Army and the Ebubeagu security outfit.