Landlords election in Anambra, turns bloody: 20 buildings smashed, 1dead.

Yesterday, an unidentified middle-aged man was reported missing and five others sustained injuries of varying severity in Iyiowa-Odekpe Community, Ogbaru Local Government Area, Anambra State, during a violent outburst by enraged youths. The outburst was instigated by the Iyiowa-Odekpe landlords’ association election that took place last Monday.

Thirty vehicles, twenty buildings, and other property, valued at more than N100 million, have been destroyed in equal measure by juveniles ostensibly employed by those identified as locals, according to Vanguard.

According to reports, the dispute arose when non-indigenous members of the local landlords association held elections that resulted in the formation of a new executive committee led by Sunday Obinze. This committee then challenged the election of indigenes that took place last Sunday, prompting the formation of an opposing landlords association in the area.

Allegedly incensed by the non-indigenous members’ determination to form a fictitious landlords’ association, the indigenous members unleashed adolescents upon the non-indigenous.

It is worth noting that the local residents, desiring to maintain their grasp on the community’s leadership, supported a candidate of their choosing and held an election on Sunday, prior to the landlords association election scheduled for Monday.

On Monday at Creative Model School, while members of the non-indigenous landlords’ association were conducting the election, Odekpe adolescents invaded the scene and plundered the assembly, destroying, among other things, chairs, tables, electoral materials, vehicles, and structures.

The landlords association, which had previously insisted on organising the election, subsequently transferred to an alternative location where they effectively conducted the contest, ultimately crowning Sunday Obinze the victor.

Ogbaru youths, dissatisfied with the outcome of the election that elected Obinze as president of the landlords association, unleashed mayhem early yesterday morning. They stormed the residences of the newly elected executive members, attacked and robbed them of their shops, and vandalised vehicles, buildings, and factories, among other targets.

In response, Obinze, the incoming president of the association, stated: “At approximately 7.30 this morning (yesterday), adolescents from Ogbaru invaded my residence, torching my vehicle, shattering the glass windows and doors, and stealing N3.8 million in currency intended for employees. The thugs also proceeded to a sizable detergent factory that belonged to Uchenna Ike, the incoming vice president, and tore down the establishment.

“They are liable for all damages, including those caused to others.” The value of the damaged property exceeds N30 million. A person is on the verge of death, and more than fifteen others have been injured. “The youths informed us during the assault that the indigenous landlords had dispatched the youths,” he continued.

President General of the Odekpe community, Innocent Nwanosike, responded swiftly by stating that he had become aware of the chaos. Expressioning regret over the damages, he stated, “Had the dispute been resolved amicably through governmental or judicial means, rather than resorting to force.” “The matter at hand pertains to the election of the Landlords Association’s president.”

Ikenga Tochukwu, a public relations officer for the State Police, confirmed the incident and stated that the police were in control of the situation; furthermore, the injured were being treated at a nearby hospital.