4 feared dead in Ebonyi communal clash
[From CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakaliki]
No fewer than four persons have been reportedly killed by suspected mercenaries allegedly working for Isinkwo community in Onicha local government area of Ebonyi State.
The Oracle today gathered that some people from Ukawu community had on Tuesday, went to a beach which had been causing dispute between the two communities to excavate sand which has been a source of livelihood to the two communities, only to be allegedly attacked by the Isinkwo warriors.
Four persons were allegedly killed in the attack and their corpses seized.
A community source said the Ukawu people tried taking advantage of the sit-at-home order by IPOB, thinking that the area would be calm not knowing that their opponents had already laid ambush.
“When our people got to the beach, the Isinkwo people opened fire on us and we had to run for our lives. But on getting to our meeting point we discovered that four people were missing.
“Some of us confirmed they saw when they were shot dead and their corpses taken away. The worse was that we were taking unawares. We didn’t go with gun because we never anticipated any attack. For some time now the area has been calm”, the source stated.
One of the victims was identified as Offor Ujebe, who is in his mid 30’s while the identity of the other three victims were yet to be ascertained at the time of filling this report.
Contacted, Ujebe’s wife who was in a mourning mood said,” they just called me that I should start coming back to the village from Abakaliki, and I left with my three children. On getting to the village now, they are telling me that my husband went to the beach where they normally work and there was an attack and they are yet to see him till now.”
It was gathered that Ukawu people had already mobilized to Isinkwo to demand for the corpses of those killed.
The State police Spokesperson, DSP Loveth Odah, said the report had not reached her table, but promised to get back to our Correspondent.
