20 INJURED, 13 HOUSES, 5 CARS TORCHED AS RIVAL YOUTHS CLASH IN OBOSI

NO fewer than 20 persons were seriously injured and 13 houses torched when a rival youth group attacked another one in Obosi in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State. Five cars were also damaged during the fracas that left many residents of the area scampering to safety. Commissioner of Police, AIG Usman Gwary; Special Adviser on Security, Mr Chikaodi Anambra and DCP Adeoye Finihan during the presentation of three refurbished Armoured Personnel Carriers to Anambra State Police Command at Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, Anambra State. Governor Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State (2nd right) Among the houses torched was that of the president –general of Obosi, Chief Dan Igbokwubili. Some of the injured persons are still recuperating in hospitals in and around Obosi. Among the people who sustained injuries were Nonso Nwangwu, Chijioke Ejindu, Chukwuebuka Osadebe and Anene Maduka, who had machete cuts on their bodies. It was gathered that members of Obosi Youths Movement, OYM, were allegedly protesting the introduction of another youth movement named Obiano Youth Vanguard, with OYM members saying they did not want another youth association in the area. While calling on the state governor, Chief Willie Obiano to disband the Obiano Youth Vanguard headed by one Chimezie Chukwurah with immediate effect in the interest of peace in Obosi, the OYM insisted that it is not possible that the two groups should exist side by side in the area. An eye-witness said that members of OYM swooped on the rival group during a meeting to celebrate the appointment of Chimezie Chukwurah as the chairman of Obiano Youth Vanguard with dangerous weapons, including guns, machetes and axes and thereafter moved to their homes to continue the assault. The President -General said: “They used machetes to destroy my gate, my wife’s shop, the security lights and part of my residential building.”