Twenty-six suspects involved in the killings and destruction of properties at Afikpo South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State have been paraded.
NigeriaCrime.com gathered that some of the suspects identified as Kenneth Okoro Agha a.k.a Mukoro, Azubuike Okoro, Okporie Nnanna Oti, Egwu Famous Chinedu, Chimeremeze Stephen Umeh, Oburu Okoro Orji, Uka Amah Orji, Orji David, Aku Sunday, Oledi Philip, Onyemuche Uka Ama, Igwe Okoro Ozi, Eni Kalu Eni were paraded on Monday in Ebonyi State Police Command.
Others who were also paraded are Chima Nnachi Kalu, Chinecherem Orji Morgan, Chima Oke Nkama, Okechukwu Mba, Okoro Ifeanyi, Ukam Igbor, Nnamdi Omeoha, Ikechukwu Omiko, Obinna Ugoba, Onuorah Nnamdi Isaac, Tochukwu Alo.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Chris Anyanwu who briefed newsmen a scrupulous intelligence-led investigation into the crime led to the arrest of the 26 suspects.
According to him, some of the exhibits recovered from the suspects include, One AK47 rifle and its live ammunition, two Pump-Action rifles, One dane gun, One village gong, One trumpet, and three AK47 magazines.
SP Chris Anyanwu added that the fracas that engulfed Ekoli-Edda led to the loss of three lives (Esien Kalu Egwu, Insp Festus Akpan and Emy Orji) burning of houses/vehicles, damages and sundry other criminal acts in the affected community of Ekoli-Edda.
The properties destroyed were a house belonging to APC Chairman, a Toyota Hilux van, a Toyota Sienna space bus, one motorcycle, one provisions shop, and doors and windows.
He said: “The fracas that engulfed Ekoli-Edda on 26/12/2022 ignited at about 1600 hours during a face-off between the security aides of Hon Stanley Okoro Emegha versus a faction of Ekoli-Edda youth believed to be loyalists of Hon Eni Uduma Chima.
“The protracted political rivalry/supremacy struggle between the duo is the cause of the showdown that took place. Interestingly, the two political stalwarts hail from the same community, belong to the same political party and even live nearby.
“The visit of the APC Chairman to his village on a fateful day, with his aides, infuriated the fragment of the youths in the area, who are purportedly adherents of Hon Eni Uduma Chima, hence the showdown that ensued.
“The war songs chanted by Egwu Famous Chinedu, the Town Crier, amidst hitting/blowing of his gong/trumpet, respectively, galvanized the youth into further action, hence, the rampage and escalation of the brouhaha.
“The investigation further revealed that an attempt to arrest one Aruah said to be the leader of the Ekoli-Edda Youth warriors, brought in the warriors who were reserved to fight in the Boundary Dispute between them and a neighbouring community in Cross River State. The said warriors wielded sophisticated prohibited firearms and their actions further degenerated the situation.
“The prompt intervention of his Excellency, Engr. Apostle Dave Nweze Umahi as the father and Chief Security Officer of the State went a long way to abate the hostilities. Without minding whose ox is gored, the Governor ordered that the two political stalwarts be arrested and detained, even as the duo are key members of his political party.
“He further enhanced and facilitated the arrest of the perpetrators cum recovery of arms/ammunition. Also in his quest to restore peace in Edda Clan, the Governor visited the area more than three times and eventually constituted a Panel of Enquiry and Reconciliation headed by distinguished Senator Sunny Ogbuorji.
“It is crystal clear that the supremacy tussle raging between Hon Stanley Okoro Emegha and Hon Eni Uduma Chima is the cause of the ill-fated December 26th conflict at Ekoli-Edda, Afikpo-South of Ebonyi State. Fourteen out of the entire suspects arrested (some still at large) will be arraigned immediately in court as prima facie case of Conspiracy, Armed Robbery, Arson, Unlawful Possession and Malicious Damage have been established against them.
“The Commissioner of Police Ebonyi State Police Command, CP Aliyu Garba, hereby advises/warns the youth from all communities and clans in Ebonyi State to learn positive lessons from the ill-fated incident of December 26th that befell Ekoli-Edda and guard against its replication. Without being subjudice or preempting the recommendation of the Panel of Enquiry and Reconciliation set up by the State Government.
“The CP further noted that despite the outcome, every individual caught up in the web of such heinous crimes must face appropriate punishment as stipulated by the laws of the land, meaning that the law is no respecter of anyone. Therefore, if you smell something, say something.
“The Police is at your beck and call any time you are in distress, so do not take laws into your own hands. Remain law-abiding because if you do, your fundamental human rights will not be infringed upon but respected, please.” Ends