Ogbaru Council Chairman Condemns Mayhem By Odekpe Youths
By Julie Sylvia, Onitsha
The caretaker committee chairman of Ogbaru Local Government Area, Anambra State, Hon. Pascal Anaegbuna, Wednesday, condemned in strong terms, the mayhem allegedly perpetrated on residents and landlords Association of Iyiowa Odekpe, by Odekpe youths, which resulted in the destruction of about 30 vehicles, 20 buildings, shops, among others.
Condemning the destruction, he said, “What happened is quite unfortunate, the damage quite colossal, to be frank I least expected this, yesterday I heard they had a little crisis here over landlord association’s election.
“I put call across two parties involved, the PG Odekpe town union told me that he was at the police station along with the group and at the end of the day, he told me that the people were arrested.
” I scheduled a meeting with the two parties involved and they told me that they had appointment already at zone 13, they now pleaded with me that the meeting be rescheduled tomorrow, ordinarily I was expected to have a meeting to get audience from them tomorrow wednesday, there we would look into what originated from the crisis and to proffer solution.
“So I received call this morning that the same youths had invaded the layout and damaged whatever they can see, cars, stores, houses, wounded some people. I droved to the scene to see things myself, it is an ugly scene, it is never anticipated, I never knew it has gotten to this level, whoever must have done this, I blamed his action, not relenting, I must proffer solution, I condemned this act,” he stated.
” I have advised them to not take laws into their hands, what happened was quite annoying but there should be no need for reprisal attack. I advise they should keep calm, I plead to them to calm down, the state is already aware, they are on their part trying to make sure that peace is restored in this layout,” he disclosed further.
On speculation making the round that the Odekpe youths will come back to continue the destruction, the council boss reiterated that, “They cannot try that, we are Ogbaru people, we are not known for this, Ogbaru people are never violence, if you ask people they will tell you that Ogbaru people are peaceful.
“This is not what Ogbaru people are known for, I promise you it will never repeat, we have put phone calls across to our sons and daughters outside here, nobody will support this, thinking that it will happen again is out of place,” he assured.
To buttress his claim, he said that the State police command was already on ground to avert further attack and ensure return of peace to the community.
“We are following it up, the community has not been in crisis, only that they suppose to hold an election but it is like due process was not duly followed and they said no, they were preparing for iyiowa landlord association election, there was complaints here and there that certain documents, certain things needed to be done by the people who are contesting, there have been peace all this while,” he further explained.
Recall that the Ogbaru youths according to the newly elected President of the landlords Association, Hon. Sunday Obinze, destroyed over 30 vehicles that included his own that was set ablaze, 20 buildings, shops and one person feared dead.
Obinze disclosed that there were a lot of illegal multiple taxations being imposed on residents by the Odekpe community with the support of the monarch and President General of the community.
The levies are Odekpe Ideke Youths Association ,#4000, Odekpe Land Management Board Committee #8000, Odekpe Ideke Youths Annual Rent #3000 etc.
He said he lost #3.5million to the Invaders who damaged properties estimated above #30million in the entire community excluding looting which are yet to be estimated.
