Ebonyi State Police Command yesterday said that three persons lost their lives during a clash at Ekoli Edda community in Afikpo South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Among those killed were a 39-year-old youth leader in the community, Eseni Kalu Egwu, a younger brother to the state Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Eme Orji, and an Inspector of Police attached to Special Protection Unit (SPU).
Orji and the inspector were allegedly eliminated in a reprisal attack over the killing of the community leader.
The state Public Relations Officer of the command, SP Chris Anyanwu said the incident, which happened on Monday evening saw irate youth equally setting ablaze the house belonging to the state APC chairman including an official Toyota Hilux van and a Toyota SIENNA space bus belonging to the Police Command’s Tactical Teams.
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He said the police were presently investigating a case of murder and malicious damages to government properties and individuals resulting from apparent struggle for supremacy and who controls the area politically among two notable political stalwarts in Ekoli-Edda, Afikpo South LGA of the state.
“At about 1630hrs of 26/12/2022, a day popularly known as ‘Boxing Day’, a distress call was received that sporadic shootings and killings were going on at Ekoli-Edda between Ebubeagu operatives who accompanied their boss, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha, the state’s APC Chairman, and another group of men purported to be loyalists to the immediate past Council Chairman, Hon Dr Chima Eni, who is also the APC flag-bearer for House of Representatives in the area.
“The two political gladiators at the middle of the whole imbroglio have been placed on protective custody to douse the tension in the area, while a scrupulous investigation has been activated by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in-charge of SCIID here in Ebonyi State.”
Meanwhile, Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi has ordered the arrest of the state APC Chairman, Chief Okoro-Emegha and a party chieftain, Chief Chima over communal unrest.
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