By Obinna Uchendu
Suspected hoodlums Wednesday night invaded Nkalagu community in Ishielu local government area of Ebonyi State and attacked villagers injuring over 10 persons in the process.
Houses were also destroyed, motorcycles set ablaze just as cash and other valuables were carted away.
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 include, the Councillor Representing Nkalagu ward, Hon Ofor Awara and the traditional Prime Minister, Nkalagu community, Chief Emmanuel Agaeze.
Everyday News gathered that motorcycles numbering about 5 were set ablaze, undisclosed amount of money were also burnt while other items destroyed by the thugs includes, 4 deep freezers, GP tanks, 2 generating sets and other household appliances.
Narrating their ordeal, the Town Union President, Mr. Omabe Joseph said that trouble started when the community raised against, a youth leader in the community, Mr. Emeka Onukwube and his gang who specializes in vandalising the properties of Nigercem Cement Company in the community.
Mr. Omaba regretted that despite the efforts of Chief Cletus Ibeto to revive the premier cement factory in the community, Mr. Onukwube and his gang goes into the factory armed, cart away equipments of the company and sell them as scraps to waiting buyers.
He noted that when the community realized what was happening, they mobilized security personels who accosted them and ensured that their activities were stopped adding that the community also removed him as the youth leader of the community.
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.
Mr. Omaba stared that, Mr. Onukwube on Wednesday, had a fight with his cousin brother who was also against his activities in the community adding that after the fight over land issues, he left and mobilized the hoodlums who invaded the community, attacked people and destroyed properties worth millions.
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 equipments 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 though promised to brief journalist on the matter after getting official report from the DPO. Ends.
