10 wounded, 20 houses destroyed as hoodlums sack Anambra community

Ten people were injured, 20 houses destroyed, 11 vehicles damaged, five motorcycles stolen, while house-hold items like plasma television sets, standing fans, music sets, clothes and shoes were carted away by yet-to-be identified hoodlums numbering over 50 who attacked Umusiome village, Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area at about 4.30 pm on Wednesday. According to an eye witness, the hoodlums were said to be shooting sporadically into the air, into houses and on people returning home after the day’s business and work, making many to scamper for safety while those who were already at home were scared away from the streets. When Vanguard visited the area Thursday morning, most of the residents were either packing out of the area or leaving with their most important belongings, while more than twenty women were taking their children away to other places considered safe in Nkpor and Onitsha, as according to them, the hoodlums boasted that they will strike again. Addressing newsmen after an emergency meeting, Chairman of Dynamic Landlords Association, Umusiome, Nkpor, Chief Humphrey Aghuna surrounded by other landlords and stakeholders including Chief Arthur Udoh, said he was returning home when he heared sporadic shootings, and on coming closer to his house, he saw some residents running on the streets. He said he hid somewhere until the arrival of the police and the army from 302 Artillery Regiment Onitsha. “As I am talking with you now, I will not be able to give an account of what is the bone of contention, but with the houses destroyed, vehicles damaged and people wounded, it is not unconnected with the protracted land dispute between Umusiome village Nkpor and Ikenga village Ogidi all in the same L.G.A. “We are just people who bought land here in Umusiome. We do not have any business with Ikenga Ogidi people. They have collected money from us in the past claiming they are youths that must be settled and yet they cannot allow us to live here peacefully. Government should come and save us here.” The Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in charge of Ogidi Police Division, Mr. Hassan Musa confirmed the incident and advised both villages to abide by the judgment of the Supreme Court over the boundary demarcation between the two villages and the decision of the National Boundary Commission which did the demarcation. “The Supreme Court and the National Boundary Commission have given their verdicts on the boundary between the two communities. It is criminal for anybody to jump over the boundary demarcation and start selling or claiming land that does not fall into your area. We warn those doing that to stop or face the wrath of the law. “I slept there yesterday with my men to ensure protection of lives and property and to ensure that there is no further shooting of people and carting away and destruction of their properties. However, no arrest has been made but we are still investigating the matter,” he said.

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