Ebonyi communal clash: 8 dead, 60 arrested, 8 houses burnt

The police, in Ebonyi, have confirmed the death of eight persons and the arrest of more than 60 others, following clashes between Effium and Ezza Effium communities in the Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Aliyu Garba, made the disclosure on Sunday during a joint security operation, which included the state Deputy Governor, Dr. Kelechi Igwe, to the affected areas.

Garba, while stating that normalcy had returned to the communities, also confirmed that about eight houses, including a petrol station, were burnt.

“The crisis was fuelled by a leadership tussle at the area’s branch of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, involving old and new executives.

“The police have ensured adequate security and I doubt if anything would breach the peace in the areas again,” he said.

The police commissioner said that the presence of a joint security operation in the area will send a signal to the perpetrators of the dastardly acts that the force was ‘on ground’.

“It will also avert a re-occurrence of the clashes, and after investigations, the suspects will appear in court for prosecution.

“I can also confirm the arrest of stakeholders from the areas and anyone found culpable will be duly prosecuted,” he said.