Tension Heightens in Ebonyi Community Over Threats To Kill 100 Residents
Onyekachi Nnabu
There is palpable tension in Eguho “community” in Ishielu Local Government of Ebonyi state following alleged threats by hoodlums to attack and kill over 100 people in the area.
Our reporter gathered that Eguho has become a flashpoint since the traditional ruler of Ezekunna community, HRH Ezeogo Innocent Nworie and his counterpart of Ezzagu Community, HRH Ezeogo Chinedu Nwankwo were at dagger drum over territorial jurisdiction of the place.
This incident had resulted to fight for supremacy, making the people of Eguho to agitate for autonomous community to shelve the imminent crisis between the two Monarchs.
Meanwhile, stakeholders have appealed to Governor Francis Nwifuru to create Eguho as autonomous community which was initiated during the administration of former Governor Sam Egwu.
They lamented that it was unfortunate that two traditional rulers could be laying claims over jurisdiction which has created tension, confusion and capable of causing total breach of public peace in the place.
However, tension grew last week when voice notes from individuals said to be operating as a gang threatened to unleash deadly attacks on the people of Eguho.
In a petition signed by the Youth Leader of Eguho Development Union, Chetachukwu Nwofia said that the threats have been made on multiple occasions both on video and audio calls.
The petition reads: “I, Nwofia Michael Chetachukwu, the youth leader of Eguho hereby submit this petition regarding the ongoing threats to my life and the lives of over one hundred (100) individuals from the community of Eguho perpetrated by a gang identified as a cartel”.
“The individuals responsible whose names and residences are well-known to the people of Eguho continue to terrorize our community possibly due to the silence and fear that they have instilled in the populace”.
“Earlier this year, members of this gang including: Ugochukwu 911 from Eguho Village; Tunder and Chukwudi from Edemugwu Village in Ezzagu and others launched a brutal attack on our village (Eguho) firing shots indiscriminately, invading homes, and stealing goods worth millions of Naira, including damage to phone charging shops and stealing over thirty (30) phones from the shop.
The Youth Leader further called on the security agencies to arrest and prosecute the plotters of the attack.
However, when contacted the Police spokesman in the state, DSP Joshua Ukandu noted that the command has not received any petition and they can not act in insolation.
