Mob Attacks Policemen, Magistrate, Others Over Kingship Tussle

Some journalists yesterday escaped death in Nkomoro community of Ezza North local government area of Ebonyi state following violence that erupted in the community during the coronation of the traditional ruler of the community.

The journalists include Ebonyi State correspondent of the Sun Newspaper, Mr Uchenna Inya; reporters of Ebonyi State Broadcasting Corporation (EBBC) and Radio Nigeria, Unity FM, Abakaliki, Sir Godwin Oguta and Mrs Chinelo Okoro.

Others who escaped the mob attack included policemen, soldiers, a magistrate attached to the state judiciary, Amaechi Nwakpa and many other individuals who came to witness the coronation ceremony.

The people of the community have been at war over kingship. They had, through different fora and peaceful protests, petitioned the state government on the imposition of a former resident electoral commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Chief Jacob Nwakpa, on them as their traditional ruler.

Meanwhile, some irate community youths who were angered by Chief Nwakpa’s coronation vandalised the vehicles of Mr Inya, the military and the magistrate.

The youths also attacked some government officials including the secretary of Ezza North local government, Mrs Samuel Nweke, Chika Igboke and other officials and vandalised their cars. The youths also destroyed motorcycles, tricycles and other valuable properties in the community.

LEADERSHIP Sunday gathered that the youths were armed with weapons including sticks, rods, stones and other dangerous objects.

It was gathered that trouble started when Mr Chika Igboke, the coordinator of Imoha Development Centre, read a letter from the State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, which ordered the coronation of the former INEC REC, Chief Nwakpa.

Some members of the community objected to the letter and insisted that the state government should not impose Chief Nwakpa on them.

A member of the community had shortly after the letter was read presented a court restraining order that the election and coronation of the traditional ruler of the community should not hold and pleaded that the exercise be kept on hold.

After the objection from a section of the community, the team from the state government went ahead to coronate Chief Jacob Nwakpa as the traditional ruler of the community.

Angered by the decision of the state government, the irate youths of the community armed with weapons, blocked the entry and exit points of Okpoku Eze secondary school, venue of the exercise and started vandalising vehicles.

It was further gathered that the angry youths, after vandalising vehicles of those present at the coronation, entered the community and started burning the houses and properties of those who supported the coronation of Chief Nwakpa.