Community clash: Crisis looms in Anambra as police release suspected criminals

By CHUKWUJEKWU ILOZUE

Tension is mounting in Ikenga Ogidi in Idemili North local council after police released two men who were suspected to have shot 11 youths in the community.

Trouble started when the former President of Ikenga Ogidi, Hon. Amechi Ekume summoned a meeting of the community believed to be aimed at settling disputes between two groups in the community.

However, on their way to the meeting, the youths were attacked by men on the other side of the dispute alleged to be loyal to Ekume.

The attackers inflicted matchete cuts on the youths and everybody ran helter skilter.

Not done, the assailants went from house to house to further attack their perceived enemies.

The matter came to a head when those attacked decided to meet their attackers to ask why they were being attacked when a peace meeting was summoned but on reaching Ikemba roundabout, Ogidi, three of the suspected attackers Mr. Ifeanyi Onyeachonam, Orakwue Ikebuilo and Amaeze Ezekuma allegedly pulled out pump action rifles and shot their pacifiers at the end of which 11 of them sustained gun-shot wounds.

Among those shot were: Ndubuisi Nwabufo, Izuchukwu Oraka, Ikechukwu Achebe and Okwudili Achebe. Others were: Abuchi Iweka, Emeka Nrabalu, Onyinye Obianagha and Arinze Obiaku.

Daily Independent learnt that immediately after the shooting, a community leader Rev. Dr. Emma Obianagha telephoned the Ogidi Divisional Police Officer who lured Amaeze Ezukama and Orakwue Ikebuilo to the station where they were arrested and detained.

However, it didn’t take long before the two suspects were released.

In their petition to the State Commissioner of Police Mr. John Abang, their lawyer, B. S Onuegbu Esq. insisted that justice should be done.

Dated March 9, 2020, Onuegbu wrote: “The youths of Ikenga Ogidi are hoping that justice would be done to avoid a situation whereby the youths will see that the Justice System is weak or nothing as these two persons arrested were released immediately without the DPO Ogidi Police Station charging the matter to court or even the Riffles confisticated by the police”.

When contacted, police spokesman Mohammed Haruna said he was hearing about the petition for the first time.

He, however said that as usual with petitions, the Commissioner of Police will give directive for investigation. (Independent)