JOURNALIST, MAGISTRATE, OTHERS LOSE VEHICLES, HOUSES OVER TRADITIONAL STOOL TUSSLE IN EBONYI

REPORTER: AMECHI ODO

Angry Youths have destroyed houses and at least ten vehicles including those of a Journalist, a Magistrate and Security Operatives following alleged coronation of Jacob Nwakpa as the Traditional Ruler of Nkomoro Community in Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

A Journalist whose car was among those smashed,.Mr Uchenna Inya told Radio Nigeria that violence erupted when community members raised objection to a letter by the State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs announcing the coronation of Chief Nwakpa.

A stakeholder in the Community, Mr Peter Nwafor alleged that thugs were unleashed on members of the community for insisting that Election for the Kingship stool be conducted before any coronation at Okpokueze Secondary School Nkomoro.

He expressed shock that that the State Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and other public officials could authorize the coronation of a Traditional Ruler in Nkomoro against a subsisting court order.

Mr Nwafor appealed to Ebonyi State government to deescalate tension in the community by stopping further moves to impose a Traditional Ruler on Nkomoro people.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr Joshua Ukandu said he was yet to be briefed over the incident.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU