By Kamsi Anayo
One person was feared dead, over 30 vehicles, 20 buildings and other properties estimated into millions of naira were Tuesday destroyed by irate Odekpe youths, in Ogbaru Local Government Area, Anambra State, over election crisis.
It was gathered that trouble started when the landlords Association (non indigenes) resident in the area wanted to conduct election to elect its leadership in the area which did not go down well with the indigenes.
Consequently, the indigenes in a bid to hold firm the leadership of the community, sponsored a candidate and conducted election last Sunday, ahead of the election of the landlords association billed for last Monday.
As the landlords association members were conducting the election on Monday at Creative Model School in the area, the Odekpe youths stormed the scene and disrupted the meeting, destroyed chairs, tables, electoral materials, vehicles, buildings, among others.
The landlords association which insisted on conducting the election, went to another place where they successfully conducted the election in which Mr Sunday Obinze, was declared the winner.
Dissatisfied with the successful conduct of the election that produced Obinze as the President of the landlords association, the Ogbaru youths went on rampage, destroyed vehicles, buildings, among others.
Reacting, Obinze, said, “At about 7.30 am this morning, some youths from Ogbaru, stormed my house, set my car ablaze, smashed the glass windows, doors, collected N3.5million cash meant for workers.
“They must pay for the damages and car, including those of other people. What they destroyed was worth over N30million. One person is almost dead, and over 15 people sustained various degrees of injuries,” he said.
He alleged that the traditional ruler and President General of the community sent the youths to destroy our property.
“The youths made it known to us when they were doing the destruction,” Obinze added.
Also the Secretary of the new landlords association leadership, Okolie Chukwunonso, said that the youths broke his pharmacy store and removed N4million used for OPS business, carted away his barbing equipments, provisions in his shop, among others.
He accused the President General of Odekpe and the monarch of being brains behind the destructions that resulted in residents deserting the community.
An industrialist, who was elected the Vice President, Chief Uchenna Ike, said five vehicles were destroyed in his factory, including those of other people within his premises.
“They collected N1.5million from my house, smashed the doors, windows and other properties when they came in. Scores were injured and I want Gov. Chukwuma Soludo to come to our rescue,” he said.
Mr Godwin Nweke whose phone was removed and wife hit with hammer, cried for help to Governor Soludo adding that he has no business with their election issue.
However, in swift reaction, the accused President General of Odekpe community, Innocent Nwanosike, said he only heard of the mayhem and lamented the destruction.
“This case would have been amicably resolved by the court or government instead of resorting to violence. This case is election matter, who will be the President of the landlords association,” he disclosed.
Confirming the incident, the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ikenga Tochukwu, said the police were on top of the situation.
