..... Gov's aides, LGA chair, lawmaker, others arrested
By Ultimatenewsnigeria
No fever than Seven persons were feared dead, many seriously injured and properties worth millions of Naria destroyed as Efium community in Ohakwu LGA erupted in crisis as members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers clashed in the area over the weekend.
It was gathered that the crisis started in the community as a result of a leadership tussle rocking the National Union of Road Transport Workers in Effuim Motor Park.
According to a source from the area: “The trouble started when a faction of the road transport union from Effium clashed with the faction from Ezza Effium over sharing formula for the revenue generated from the Effium park
He said the clashes spiked into the community leading to casualties on both sides.
Houses, cars and other properties were also torched as the crisis escalated into the community with many deserting the community to neighbouring communities.
Following the incident, Ebonyi State Government announced a ban on activities of the Union in Effuim Motor Park in Ohaukwu Local Government Area.
The Commissioner for Internal Security and Conflict Resolution in the state, Mr. Stanley Okoro Emegha, who announced the ban in Abakaliki said the clashes engulfed the entire Effium and Ezza Effium communities because the Chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers in the area allowed politicians to meddle into the affairs of the union.
He said that Ohaukwu Local Government authorities would be mandated to take over the park where the incident emanated from.
“It was not something that happened on the grounds of IPOB, neither was it a politically related matter; it was a national transport union case dragging the leadership of a motor park.
The commissioner said all government personnel on special national assignments in the community, who were trapped by the crisis, had been rescued while the area was calm, following the deployment of security men.
He warned that the government would bring to book all the politicians, whether serving in the government or in the opposition party, who played a role in sparking up the crisis.
But, the deputy governor of Ebonyi state, Barr. Kelechi Igwe who visited the community to assess the level of destruction, directed political office holders in Effium to close ranks and ensure speedy resolution of the crisis.
The deputy Governor who was received on arrival by the state Commissioner of police , Aliyu Garba described as unfortunate the breach of peace in the area which has led to wanton destructions in the area
He commended the commissioner of police for his prompt response to the distress call, urging him to dispatch his men to flash points to forestall breakdown of law and order.
Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Aliyu Garba, said those who were critically injured are receiving treatment at the hospital.
He said some suspects had also been arrested while investigation continues into the matter.
“Actually, it was my first litmus, but like I told you, normalcy has been restored; we have lots of them that have been arrested and investigations are ongoing.”
Meanwhile, Police have arrested some political leaders in the area over the killings and destruction of properties in the community.
Those arrested include the Chairman of Ohaukwu Local government area, Clement Odah, lawmaker representing Ohaukwu North state Constituency, Chinedu Awọ and two Coordinators of Effium Development Centre, Sunday Agbo and Effium South DC, Eucharia Ogwale.
Others are a former Chief Press Secretary to the Governor and Special Assistant on Market Development, Emmanuel Uzor, as well as his counterpart in Charge of Parks Development, Emmanuel Igwe and many others were arrested.
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