•APC, PDP trade blame
Thirty houses have been destroyed in election-related violence in some communities in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
A victim, Donatus Nwofe, said he lost two of his buildings and property worth millions.
Nwofe, who is Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), said the culprits invaded his compound and shot sporadically before setting the houses ablaze.
“I lost everything; even the briefs I am wearing was given to me by a sympathiser. As you can see, no pin was removed from the buildings. We now live in fear as no one knows when the hoodlums will attack again with their AK-47 rifles and other weapons.
“I am appealing to the police to tighten security, and the state and federal government to come to our rescue,” Nwofe said.
Another victim, Paulinus Onyike, said the suspected political thugs invaded Izenyi, in Agbaja community, and set houses suspected to belong to members of the opposition ablaze.
According to him, the culprits invaded the area, shot indiscriminately before setting houses and other valuable property ablaze.
He described the attacks as barbaric and called for proper investigation and arrest of the perpetrators.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have accused each other of masterminding the attacks.
APC Chairman Eze Nwachukwu described the attacks as an unprovoked war, and urged police and other security agencies to intensify security surveillance.
“These incidents have been reported to the police, and we urge them to ensure that perpetrators are arrested and brought to justice. We also call on our members and supporters to remain resolute, refuse to be intimidated, even as we assure victims of the party’s resolve to ensure justice,” Nwachukwu said.
But chairman of the PDP Onyekachi Nwebonyi denied the allegations.
“It is not true; they are the ones attacking our members. I had briefed you on the death of two persons on Sunday, who were attacked by political thugs, while six others were injured.
“PDP has been very peaceful despite the provocations. The governor, who is a man of peace, has continued to calm the party faithful down, and urging them not to retaliate,” he said.
Commissioner of Police Awosola Awotunde has called for calm.
Awotunde, who addressed reporters after his assessment visit to affected areas, vowed that the police would ensure that perpetrators of the dastardly acts were arrested and prosecuted.
He described the incident as barbaric, and warned agaisnt a reprisal.
“We appeal for calm, and assure the public that the police will ensure that everyone involved in the dastardly act is brought to book, including their sponsors. The police are committed to protecting lives and property before, during and after the elections,” Awotunde added.
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