Police warn feuding communities in Ebonyi to drop arms

By Christian Ogbonna

Police in Ebonyi on Sunday at Abakaliki warned feuding communities of Effium and Ezza-Effium to sheath their swords or face the wrath of the law.

The two communities engaged themselves in an imbroglio over the collection of motor park toll, which led to loss of lives and destruction of valuable properties.

The imbroglio also turned a once-ebullient Effium community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi into a ghost town with several persons displaced.

Police spokesman in the state, SP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, quoted the Commissioner of Police, Mr Faleye Olaleye, as assuring that the police would continue to protect lives and properties in the affected area.

“The Commissioner of Police decries the spate of conflict in the area and warned aggressors to drop their arms or face the full wrath of the law.

“There has been on-going conflict in the area with the army, mobile policemen from within and outside the state permanently stationed there,’’ Onovwakpoyeya stated.

He expressed regret that police operatives were attacked in the renewed violence, which began on May 4.

“Fortunately, police repelled the attacks but in the ensuing gun duel, the colonial building used as police station was razed.

“There was, however, no casualty on the part of the police or loss of arms and ammunition.

“Normalcy has, returned to the area,’’ Onovwakpoyeya added.

(NAN)