Urum/ Achalla Mayhem: Anambra CP Orders Full Investigation Into Killing, Destructions
Vows to bring perpetrators to book
Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP John Abang has ordered full investigation into the communal crisis between Urum and Achalla Communities in Awka North Local Government Area, Anambra State.
The renewed fight between the neighbouring communities on Monday led to the death of three persons. Also, some houses were razed while others were demolished.
Odogwublog.com reliably gathered that some youths in large number allegedly from Achalla invaded Uruum Community with offensive weapons and razed down three buildings, damaged other buildings by destroying Louvre glasses and other structures.
The people of Umuife village Urum were invaded by Achalla youths killing one Mr. Ikechukwu Aaron and made away with his corpse, and set more than three buildings ablaze as properties worth millions of Naira were destroyed and a little boy of about 5 years of Efium in Ohaukwu council area of Ebonyi state was burnt to death by the inferno that engulfed the building where he was sleeping.
Sequel to this incident one Mr. Samuel Afamefuna of Ifiteora village, Urum was chased out of his farm at okpalafifia and Mrs. Helen Nwoye of Ifiteora village, Urum and many others from other villages in Urum have different reports of harassment from Achalla youths.
Reports say the President General of Achalla Improvement Union had last month moved into Ochiokwa farmlands with bulldozer; destroyed food crops belonging to Urum people and as they were clearing the land, the youth of Urum heard it and went there to stop them.
It was further learnt that the people of Achalla started shooting them and killed one Mr. Nwankwo Udefune (Igada) of Ifiteora village and made away with his corpse.
Awka North Transition Chairman Hon. Ferdinand Onwuje and Hon. Chief John Nwokoye, the member representing Awka North Constituency in Anambra State House of Assembly have set separate committees to look into the matter and make lasting peace between the two warring communities in Awka North although their efforts are yet to yield any positive results.
Meanwhile the Police who earlier reacted following a distress call, quickly dispatched joint Police teams comprising PMF/SARS and other Conventional Units led by the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations ACP David Iloyanomon.
Anambra Police Spokesman, SP Haruna Mohammed who disclosed this said the situation has been brought under control, while joint patrol is still ongoing to restore normalcy in the affected areas. He added that the extent of damage and injuries sustained has not yet being ascertained.
To unravel the real cause of the crisis, CP John B.Abang,fdc has directed the DC State CID Awka to carry out discreet investigation in order to ascertain circumstances surrounding the incident and bring perpetrators to book.
It would be recalled that the Commissioner of Police had few weeks ago summoned all stake holders in the two warring Communities over the looming crisis concerning land dispute which both Communities were laying claim of ownership. The CP waded into the matter and warned both parties to maintain peace and explore all the legal avenues to resolve their grievances without resorting to violence.
However,despite the Commissioner of Police intervention and warning ,the two warring communities had on 27/5/2020 engaged themselves into a fight over same land matter.
