Armed youths attack journalists, security, magistrate in Ebonyi

Cultist cutlass

Angry armed youths of Nkomoro community, Ezza North local government area of Ebonyi State on Saturday attacked journalists who went to cover the election and coronation of their Eze.

Also attacked by youths includes policemen, soldiers, a Magistrate attached to the state judiciary, Amaechi Nwakpa and many persons.

One of the attacked journalists Uchenna Inya of Sun Newspapers said that yhe people of the community have been at war over kingship.

He said, “I and some journalists went to cover the election/coronation of a new traditional ruler of Nkomoro community when thugs attacked us and vandalized his corolla vehicle while returning to Abakaliki.

“The thugs also attacked policemen, soldiers, a Magistrate Amaechi Nwakpa and some government officials including the Secretary of Ezza North local government, Mrs. Samuel Nweke, Chika Igboke and other officials and vandalized their own cars.

“Motorcycles, tricycles and other valuable properties were also destroyed by the thug who were armed with weapons including sticks, rods, stones and other weapons.

“The problem started when members of the community had raised objection to the letter from the state Ministry of local government and chieftaincy matters which ordered the coronation of a former Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Chief Jacob Nwakpa.

“The letter was read by Chika Igboke the Coordinator of Imoha Development Center and a member of the community immediately came out with a paper and said that there is a court order restraining the election and coronation of a traditional ruler of the community, he pleaded that the exercise should not hold.

“After the man’s remarks, Chief Jacob Nwakpa was coronated and immediately the youths armed with weapons, blocked the entry and exit points of Okpoku Eze secondary school venue of the exercise and started vandalizing vehicles.

“The angry youths loyal to Oscar Nwafor went inside the community and burnt some properties. after vandalizing the vehicles.”