A policeman and two others killed in clashes between APC supporters in Ebonyi
A policeman and two people were killed in a clash between supporters of two rival stalwarts of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Afikpo South Local Government Area in Ebonyi State.
The incident occurred on December 26 in the community of Ekoli-Edda.
Sources in the area said the clash was between supporters of APC state chairman Stanley Emegha and the party's candidate for the House of Representatives for the Afikpo North federal constituencies and from Afikpo South, Eni Uduma.
Mr. Emegha, who is also a security consultant to the Ebonyi State government, is in charge of Ebubeagu, a security group supported by the state government.
His rival, Mr. Uduma, is a former local government council chairman who completed his second term in August.
Both are loyalists to Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi. They are from the community but have long been political enemies.
Enraged by the incident, Mr. Umahi on Tuesday ordered the arrest and prosecution of Messrs. Emegha and Uduma.
One of those killed in the clash is a 39-year-old man, Eseni Egwu, while the other is Eme Orji, a brother of Mr. Emegha.
In addition, one of the houses in Mr. Emegha's compound in the community was burnt down during the clash.
A police vehicle and another vehicle in Mr. Emegha's convoy were set on fire.
The clashes reportedly began after the election of the leadership of a local youth group.
The immediate cause of the clash is unclear at this time, but sources said armed supporters of both APC stalwarts suddenly engaged in a shootout resulting in the death of Mr Egwu , 29 years old.
A source claimed that youths loyal to Mr. Emegha arrived at the market place in the area and fired sporadic shots in the air and left.
The development, the source said, attracted youths from the community loyal to Mr. Eni, who banded together and engaged the others in a firefight.
"Gunmen stormed Mr. Emegha's country house and set it on fire around 10 p.m.," the source said.
APC President Mr. Emegha confirmed the burning of his house.
He said the gunmen attacked him and his convoy, killing a policeman attached to him. He identified the slain officer as "Inspector Akpan".
Two other people from his village were also killed, he said.
“It was unprovoked and amazing. There was no quarreling or dragging of anything, they just opened fire on me and those who accompanied me to the village,” said Mr. Emegha.
"They attacked me and burned down my house. I call on the police and other security agencies to take action. They know what to do to find out the truth about the case. They know what do."
ALSO READ: Kill Any Misbeliever Found With Gun, Ebonyi Gov Orders Security AgenciesPREMIUM TIMES could not immediately reach Mr. Uduma for comment as he did not return calls.
The police reactEbonyi State Police Spokesperson, ...
A policeman and two people were killed in a clash between supporters of two rival stalwarts of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Afikpo South Local Government Area in Ebonyi State.
The incident occurred on December 26 in the community of Ekoli-Edda.
Sources in the area said the clash was between supporters of APC state chairman Stanley Emegha and the party's candidate for the House of Representatives for the Afikpo North federal constituencies and from Afikpo South, Eni Uduma.
Mr. Emegha, who is also a security consultant to the Ebonyi State government, is in charge of Ebubeagu, a security group supported by the state government.
His rival, Mr. Uduma, is a former local government council chairman who completed his second term in August.
Both are loyalists to Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi. They are from the community but have long been political enemies.
Enraged by the incident, Mr. Umahi on Tuesday ordered the arrest and prosecution of Messrs. Emegha and Uduma.
One of those killed in the clash is a 39-year-old man, Eseni Egwu, while the other is Eme Orji, a brother of Mr. Emegha.
In addition, one of the houses in Mr. Emegha's compound in the community was burnt down during the clash.
A police vehicle and another vehicle in Mr. Emegha's convoy were set on fire.
The clashes reportedly began after the election of the leadership of a local youth group.
The immediate cause of the clash is unclear at this time, but sources said armed supporters of both APC stalwarts suddenly engaged in a shootout resulting in the death of Mr Egwu , 29 years old.
A source claimed that youths loyal to Mr. Emegha arrived at the market place in the area and fired sporadic shots in the air and left.
The development, the source said, attracted youths from the community loyal to Mr. Eni, who banded together and engaged the others in a firefight.
"Gunmen stormed Mr. Emegha's country house and set it on fire around 10 p.m.," the source said.
APC President Mr. Emegha confirmed the burning of his house.
He said the gunmen attacked him and his convoy, killing a policeman attached to him. He identified the slain officer as "Inspector Akpan".
Two other people from his village were also killed, he said.
“It was unprovoked and amazing. There was no quarreling or dragging of anything, they just opened fire on me and those who accompanied me to the village,” said Mr. Emegha.
"They attacked me and burned down my house. I call on the police and other security agencies to take action. They know what to do to find out the truth about the case. They know what do."
ALSO READ: Kill Any Misbeliever Found With Gun, Ebonyi Gov Orders Security AgenciesPREMIUM TIMES could not immediately reach Mr. Uduma for comment as he did not return calls.
The police reactEbonyi State Police Spokesperson, ...
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