Communal Violence Between Rivers And Ebonyi Communities Claim 20 Lives

No fewer than 12 persons have been killed in renewed gang clash in Rumuche and Rumuohia communities, as well as Kaani Babbe Community in Emohua and Khana local government areas of Rivers State. This is coming a few hours after rival gang war claimed eight persons in Mgbuodohia Community, Rumuolumeni in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area on Sunday.

The Guardian learnt that of the 12 victims, five persons were killed in Rumuohia Community of Emohua council, while seven others were shot dead in Kaani. The developments have sent panic among residents of the areas, as they have been wondering the role of security agencies, state government and community elders, as the mayhem continues.

A community source in Emohua, Solomon Erim, who confirmed the incident, said trouble started when a rival cultist who had gone for a burial ceremony in the area was killed, adding that the killers were on reprisal. It was gathered that a 64-year old man was among those who were killed during the communal clash.

A community source told journalists that Foundation Onuekwa, Bright Oteh, Junior Kayi and two others were victims at Emohua, adding that three others who sustained bullet injuries have been hospitalized. In Khana, unknown gunmen numbering 12 in black attires and masks invaded the community and shot sporadically killing the victims who were suspected cultists.

The victims were identified as Mgbibari Nyornyaa, Sorlesi Youngman, Dornu Aanu, Bariagra Menebe, Lekia Eleaee, Boy-Mgbibari and Sira Mgbibari.The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Nnamdi Omoni, confirmed the killings in Khana, but stated that he could not verify the Emohua incident, as the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the area claimed there were no such killings.

Meanwhile, a clash between Alike Community in Ikwo Local Government Area and Enyigba Community in Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi State has left eight persons dead. It was learnt that that six of the victims were burnt to death, while the other two including the wife of a police officer whose husband was deployed to Borno was going to the market when the incident occurred.

However, five of those who were burnt to death were members of the same family who had gone to one of their son’s matriculation ceremony at Ebonyi State University in company of their neighbours but met their death on their way back home.

Confirming the incident, the state’s PPRO, ASP Loveth Odah said the victims died “in a long standing dispute between Ndiagu Alike Ikwo and Enyibichiri Community in Abakaliki that erupted the other day.”

Culled from: Guardian Newspaper 

https://guardian.ng/news/again-rivers-ebonyi-community-clashes-claim-20-persons/amp