The Ebonyi State Police Command has arrested 10 youths in connection with the death of a cleric and burning of a local government chairman in the state.
DSP Levi Philip, Police Public Relations Officer of the command, said in a statement that the Police Commissioner, CP Aliyu Garba, would thoroughly handle the matter while he commiserated with the families of those who lost their lives in the incident which ensued among the youths of irate Ebiya Unuphu community in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.
Recall that at about 10 p.m. on September 19,2021, some Irate youths of Ebia Unuphu Community in their numbers invaded the houses of one Okechukwu Onyibe aka Bosco and one Sunday Nwangele ‘m’, the Chairman of Abakaliki LGA from Ebiya Unuphu Community, set their houses ablaze on the allegation that Bosco who owns Bosco Guest House in Abakaliki caused the death of one Oluchi Nwibo ‘m’ aged 18 years a youth from the community. The youths mobilised to Bosco Guest House along Hatchery road Abakaliki in a bid to set the guest house ablaze, but they were repelled by Police Operatives on ground.
In the early hours of September 20, 2021, the youths of the community regrouped to further carry out their nefarious act of setting the Bosco Guest House ablaze but were quickly repelled by security operatives on ground.
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Unfortunately, during a gun duel which ensued between security operatives and the youths who were heavily armed with suphisticated weapons, one Pastor Emeka Ogbonna ‘m’ aged45whoresidedoppositethe hotel was hit by a stray bullet, and was rushed to the hospital where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor on call.
Meanwhile, 10 of the youths who allegedly took part in the burning of the houses had been arrested and the SA to the Chairman, Okechukwu Onyibe a.k.a. BOSCO, is also in Police custody.
Police said investigation was on to ascertain the main cause of the chaos.
