Former executive chairman of Ohaji/Egbema council, Chief Luke Chukwu told weekly Trust in Owerri yesterday, that an unconfirmed number of people have fled their homes, while properties worth millions of naira were destroyed, adding that the clash occurred last night when the people of the area may have gone to sleep.
He narrated that the conflict started when a particular man was suspected by some group in the area to have killed a woman in the community. The suspected man was beaten to the point of death, whereupon his assailants left him for dead. This did not go down well with people in the area who believe he was innocent of the crime he was being accused of.
On their way to the mortuary to deposit his remains, the accused man woke up and was immediately rushed to the hospital for medical treatment.
Trouble started when a family member of the deceased woman started threatening to deal with the community for killing their sister.
The situation led to a serious fight between the family of the deceased and other members of the community, leading to the destruction of lives and properties.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Imo State governor on security, Mr. Golden Nwokoma confirmed the incidence and said that the Commissioner of Police has been alerted about it.
Mr.Nwokoma expressed hope that the situation would come under control by the police.
The Army Public Relations Officer of 34 Field Artillery Brigade, Obinze, Owerri, Lt.Col. Yahaya Nduide also said that the command has received report on the incidence.
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