• Policeman, two others killed, vehicles burnt
Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi has ordered the arrest and prosecution of the All Progressives Congress (APC) state Chairman, Stanley Emegha, and a House of Representatives candidate of the party, Eni Uduma, over their alleged roles in the murder of a policeman and two others persons in Afikpo South Local Government Area.
Umahi, according to a statement by his Media aide, Chooks Oko, gave the directive during an on-the-spot assessment of damages caused by rival cult gangs said to be loyal to the two APC stalwarts in Ekoli-Edda.
The governor also directed the state Police command to arrest every other person connected with the carnage and ensure they faced justice.
Emegha is also the state consultant on Security while Uduma is the immediate past chairman of Afikpo South council. They are both from Ekoli-Edda.
As of the time of filing this report, the whole of Ekoli-Edda had been cordoned off by a combined team of Policemen, soldiers, and men of the state security outfit, Ebubeagu.
Spokesman for the Police command Chris Anyanwu confirmed the killings. He added that a police van, a convoy vehicle, and a house in Emegha’s compound, were set ablaze during the clash.
Anyanwu, in a statement, said: “Ebonyi State Police Command is presently investigating a case of murder, arson, and malicious damages to government properties and individuals resulting from apparent struggle for supremacy and who controls the area politically among two notable political stalwarts in Ekoli-Edda.
“The irate youth set ablaze the village house of Mr Stanley Emegha, his Toyota Hilux and Sienna belonging to the Police Command’s Tactical Teams.”