POLICE ARREST PUBLIC OFFICIALS IN EBONYI OVER COMMUNAL CLASH

Reporter: AMECHI ODO

Police in Ebonyi State have arrested over thirty public office holders and stakeholders from Effium and Ezza Effium Communities in Ohaukwu Local Government Area following communal clashes that have claimed multiple lives with property worth millions destroyed in the area.

The political office holders were arrested during a security meeting held behind closed door and chaired by the Deputy Governor of the State, Dr. Kelechi Igwe, at Government House Abakaliki.

Those arrested include the Ohaukwu Council Chairman, Mr. Clement Odah; and the Special Assistant to the Governor on Food Market Development, Mr. Emmanuel Uzo.

Others were the member representing Ohaukwu North constituency in the State House of Assembly , Mr. Chinedu Awo and the Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Development, Chief Frank Nwaka Onwe.

It was not clear who gave the order for the arrest of the public office holders but shortly after the meeting commenced at the Exco Chamber, heavily armed police men surrounded the area and later whisked the public office holders away to Police Headquarters in two awaiting buses.

The Deputy Governor, who promised to brief journalists at the end of the meeting, however left with his convoy heading back to the conflict area.