One person whose name is yet to be identified was on Wednesday reportedly killed in Agubia Ikwo Community, Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
This is following a clash between boys loyal to a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
It was gathered that the clash ensued between the two rival groups over who controls one of the biggest motor parks in the community.
DAILY POST learnt that over five other persons were injured and were currently receiving treatment at the Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki.
Investigation revealed that the homes and vehicles belonging to some of the current leaders of the parks were vandalized and set ablaze by the opposing youths.
The Agubia Motor Park is the central park where all the vehicles leaving and entering the community stops.
A source in the community, who spoke unanimity said that the clash was a fall-out of a supremacy battle between two opposing political camps in the area over political dominance ahead of 2023 political year.
The source revealed that the boys loyal to the chieftain of PDP who is currently serving under the present government of Ebonyi state had been in total control of the leadership of the park for the past five years.
But, immediately the Appeal Court sitting in Enugu ruled in favour of APC in Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency seat, the boys loyal to APC demanded that the leadership of the park be handed over to them, which later resulted to destruction and burning down of houses, cars and killing of one person.
According to the source “The true situation is that politicians from the area are struggling for dominance ahead of 2023. Before now, PDP boys loyal to Hon. Clement Nweke, have been in control of the park. But their tenure just expired and new leadership is expected soon.
“However, things were going on well until Chinedu won at the Appeal Court. So, some of his boys from the area suddenly resurfaced and started agitating for a change of baton.
“So, that was what happened. As I am talking to you now, one guy was killed yesterday, while vehicles and houses belonging to the other camps were set ablaze,” he stated.
Reacting to the development, the Member Representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal constituency, Chinedu Ogah, called on security agencies to arrest and prosecute anyone involved in the crisis.
“This is why I am interested in empowering the youths so that they will not indulge in such criminal acts,” he stated
Meanwhile, the Senator Representing Ebonyi Central Senatorial district in the National Assembly, Senator Obinna Ogba, has called for calm and urged all youths and leaders from the area to stop taking any further action capable of chaos in the area.
Senator Ogba, in a statement signed and made available to journalists in Abakaliki, called on security agents to calm the spate of violence in the area.
“As a senator representing Ebonyi central zone, I encourage all stakeholders and security agents to quell this unnecessary and wanton destruction of lives and property in Agubia.
“I also use this opportunity to pledge my strong support for families that have lost their property and I will do my bit in offsetting hospital bills of the badly injured persons, while encouraging the victims not to engage in reprisal attack,” he stated.
