Ebonyi drivers protest over attack on members by Izzi Nnodo youths
.....we never send anybody- Youth President
By Our reporter
The United drivers association (UDISAM) Ebonyi State today protested the alleged multiple revenue collection and attack on menbers by Izzi Nnodo Youth forum
The drivers who were numbering over 50 blocked the Abakalik-Afikpo highway leading to the state capital city
They used their vehicles to block entrance to the capital city for more than an hour, thereby disrupting the free flow of traffic on that route.
Report has it that business activities were temporarily brought to halt on the road as commuters and some road users were trapped.
Some of the drivers interviewed like Maduabuchi Onoura, who hails from Nnewi South of Anambra state, Utobo from Ezza and Akpa Chukwuemeka from uburu said the attackers destroyed their vehicles as a way of extending the communal boundary clash between izzi and Ikwo clan of Ebonyi state into the capital City.
The drivers who described the development as unfortunate appealed to the state government to continue to work towards restoring peace in the state.
They however, called on the youths to shun all forms of attacks on their members in the capital City in other not to destroy the good Legacies of the current administration.
Also speaking the National welfare chairman of the United drivers association (UDISAM), Hon Igwe James aka Sir manja, said the problem started when some youths led by the Son of one of the traditional ruler in Izzi who stormed their park and started assaulting the drivers.
He explained that the son of the traditional ruler was asking them to comply to their demands of paying revenues to them as the owners of the capital territory or vacate their land.
"I was informed by some of the drivers this morning that there was invasion from izzi nnodo youth forum, that they want to take over thier land, being the Abakaliki capital territory, and that all the drivers applying the road should vacate or comply to their conditions by giving them some amount of percentage as revenue,
"When I tried to find out more I discovered that the youths have occupied some of the bus tops , beating up the drivers that refused to comply to their demands, and they have vandalized alot of vehicles, which made the drivers to protest by blocking the Abakaliki/Enugu highway," he said.
He said that he had contacted leaders of the youths to calm the situation and ensure peace in the area however decried the tension as being fueled by the son of the traditional ruler Eze Sunday Oketa and others.
"The trouble started this morning, and since then I have been doing my best to calm the situation, calling the DC coordinators, but to my greatest surprise, the first son of Eze Sunday oketa, and others, were the ones mobilising the youths with motorcycles and their own vehicles to cause troubles for the drivers", he added.
He called on all peaceful Ebonyians to support the state government in restoring peace in the state as well as consolidate the good works of the state Governor Engr David Umahi, instead of causing tension in the state.
Responding in an interview the National President of Izzi Nnodo Youths forum, Comrade Ben Nwovu dennied the allegation saying that the forum has never sent any body to attack or collect revenue from any driverin Abakaliki capital city.
Mr Nwovu who however condemned the altercation that ensued between the United drivers association, NURTW and some Youths along Abakaliki_ Enugu highway said he never sent anyone to cause trouble in the capital City.
He said anyone found should be arrested and charge for criminality.
"Everyone that knows me knows that I am a very peaceful person, that I cannot even allow others to cause problem let alone instigating it myself, how can i that is always at the center of preaching peace, ask people to go to park in the name of izzi nnodo and tell people to vacate the premises what for, I never sent anybody, and I am not on the known, and when I was called upon, I quickly went to presco and asked them to stop collecting money and leave,
"One Emeka, who works in the union is an izzi man, but it doesn't mean he is working for Izzi Nnodo Youth forum, he is a branch chairman of the NURTW which are having problem with the UDISAM, I don't know how it came about but I know that that's where they have differences, I am not part of it and I disassociate myself from it in any form, nobody should go there in the name of izzi nnodo,
On alleged attack on Ikwo people by some Izzi youths in the capital city, Nwovu warned those who are taking the advantage of the crises to desist.
He said those found causing mayhem in the capacity city should be arrested
"Anybody that is seen causing mayhem should be arrested and be treated with the gravity of the offence committed, I have nothing to gain if izzi and Ikwo are fighting, we are brothers and even this morning I spoke in the t.v to condem the crisis in it's entirety,
"These are the problem candidates, they are trying to take advantage of the crisis between izzi and Ikwo, kilometers away and bring it to town to rob people, they are criminals and they should be treated as such, izzi nnodo disassociate themselves from them, we never asked anyone to come to town to fight for izzi nnodo,
"we know where we have differences and that is why we are sorting it, and of course His Excellency the governor has called on us, and we decided to abide by the decision in all ramifications and we have cease fire and not longer fighting with Ikwo people".
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