1 feared dead, 25 houses burnt down, many rendered homeless as C’River youths attack Ebonyi community

There was pandemonium at Ekoli Edda, in Afikpo South Local Government Area (LGA) of Ebonyi State when angry youths suspected to be indigenes of Egbor village in Cross River State stormed the community.

Reports say the attack by the youths witnessed the killing of one person, the burning of no less than 25 houses in the community, and the destruction of palm plantations, already harvested palm fruits, farm crops, stocked farm produce, economic trees and other valuables.

The attack was confirmed by Mr Ude Kalu Uka, the Public Relations Officer of Afikpo South while briefing media men in the state capital.

Mr. Ude said; “The people of Ekoli Edda have a common boundary with the people of Biase LGA of Cross River State. That very day, the people invaded our palm plantation and burnt it down, scattered our palm fruits and shot dead one of our youths.

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“They call him Dogo because he was very tall but his name is Olughu. The palm plantation that was burnt down is called Emezie-ebiri Farm Settlement and it’s a village in Ekoli Edda. More than 25 houses were burnt down and the displaced persons are camped at Ugwuama Primary School.

“The chairman of the LGA has been doing his best by distributing relief materials to the affected people from that place. The community as a whole has been contributing by feeding them, giving them clothes, mats and other materials.

“The Chairman has visited the state Director of SSS, and commander of the Nkwoagu Military Cantonment, Abakaliki, for them to draft in their men so that lives and property can be protected.”

As at the time of filing in this report, the Police Public Relations Officer in Ebonyi, ASP Loveth Odah was yet to comment on the incident.

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