Umahi orders arrest of Ebonyi APC chair as 3 die in clash involving party supporters

A police officer and two other persons have been killed following a clash involving supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi state.

Chris Anyanwu, Ebonyi police spokesperson, confirmed the development in a statement on Tuesday.

Anyanwu said the incident happened on Monday evening in Ekoli-Edda, Afikpo south LGA of the state.

“At about 1630hrs of December 26, a day popularly known as ‘Boxing Day’, a distress call was received that sporadic shootings and killings were going on at Ekoli-Edda between Ebube Agu operatives who accompanied their boss, Mr Stanley Okoro-Emegha, the State’s APC Chairman,” the statement reads.

“The open shoot-out was not far-fetched from previous grudges existing among the political factions.

“In the process, a youth leader identified as Kalu Egwu was wounded, later rushed to a neighbouring hospital at Ohafia, Abia State, where he was confirmed dead.

“Angered by his death, the youths of the area mobilised and went on rampage, killing Eme Orji, a younger brother of the State APC Chairman and an Inspector of Police attached to SPU.

“The irate youths equally set ablaze the village house of Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha, his Toyota Hilux van, and a Toyota Sienna space bus belonging to the Police Command’s Tactical Teams.

“When the Tactical Teams were dispatched to Ekoli-Edda to take control of the situation, they were ambushed by youths of the area at the village entrance. However, the operatives manouevred unhurt.

“Two suspects were arrested among the irate youths, while others are still at large.”

Anyanwu added that the bodies of the three persons have been evacuated and deposited at different morgues in the state.

Following the development, David Umahi, governor of Ebonyi, has ordered the arrest of the state APC chairman and Eni Chima, the party’s house of representatives candidate for Afikpo north/south constituency.

According to a statement on Tuesday by Chooks Oko, his media aide, the governor issued the directive during an assessment tour of the area where the incident occurred.

Umahi, who expressed concern over the incident, directed security operatives to ensure proper investigation and prosecution of all persons found culpable.