Ebonyi police arrests 10 youths over death of clergy, burning of LGA chairman’s residence

By FELIX UKAH, Abakaliki

Ebonyi State Police Command has arrested no fewer than 10 youths over the death of a clergy, burning of L.G.A Chairman’s house in the state capital.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Aliyu Garba called on residents of the state to remain vigilant and law-abiding, urging them to go about their lawful business.

According to a press statement issued by its spokesperson, DSP Levi Philip, the Police Commissioner said that his men were going to thoroughly handle the matter while he commiserated with the families of those who lost their lives in the incident which ensued among the youths of irate Ebiya Unuphu community in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

Recall that at about 10:00 pm on September 19, 2021, some irate youth of Ebia Unuphu Community in their numbers invaded the houses of one Okechukwu Onyibe aka Bosco and one Sunday Nwangele ‘m’ the Chairman of Abakaliki LGA from Ebiya Unuphu Community and set their houses ablaze on the allegation that Bosco who owns Bosco Guest House in Abakaliki caused the death of one Oluchi Nwibo ‘m’ aged 18yrs a youth from the Community.

Same youths mobilized to Bosco Guest House along Hatchery road Abakaliki in a bid to set the guest house ablaze, but they were repelled by Police Operatives on ground.

In the early hours of 20th September 2021, the same youths of the Community regrouped to further carry out their nefarious act of setting the Bosco guest house ablaze but were quickly repelled by security Operatives on ground.

Unfortunately during a gun duel which ensued between security operatives and Irate youths who were heavily armed with sophisticated weapons, one Pastor Emeka Ogbonna ‘m’ aged 45yrs who reside opposite the hotel was hit by a stray bullet and was rushed to the hospital where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor on call.

Meanwhile, about ten (10) of the aired Irate youths who took part in the burning of the houses have been arrested and the SA to the Chairman Okechukwu Onyibe aka BOSCO is also in Police custody. The investigation is ongoing to ascertain the main cause of the chaos.

The Commissioner of Police while calling on residents of the State to remain vigilant and law-abiding urging them to go about their lawful businesses.

He further reassures all and sundry of the Command’s capability, resolve and commitment to deal decisively with trouble makers and any form of harassment or intimidation of innocent members of the public by any person or group of persons under whatever guise. (Daily Independent)