Political thugs set 30 buildings on fire in Ebonyi

Over 30 houses have been destroyed in pre-election related
violence in some communities in Izzi local government area of
Ebonyi state.

But the two major parties – People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and
All Progressive Congress (APC) – have continued to trade blames
over the destructions.

Commissioner of Police, Awosola Awotunde, on Monday in Abakaliki
appealed for calm among residents over the attacks.

Awotunde, who spoke with journalists after assessment visits to
areas affected by the violence, vowed police authority would ensure
that perpetrators of the dastardly acts were arrested and brought
to book.

The police chief described the incident as barbaric and man’s
inhumanity to man.

Awotunde decried the wanton carnage warned against any
reprisal.

He said that those involved in the criminal attacks on the
communities, including their sponsors would be arrested and
prosecuted.

“We appeal for calm and assure the public that police will spare
no efforts in ensuring that everyone who is involved in the
dastardly act is brought to book including their sponsors.

“The police further reassure the public of commitment to
protection of lives and property of every citizen of the state
before, during and after the elections”, Awotunde said.

He also sympathised with victims during the assessment
visits.

Narrating his ordeals, a victim of the attack, Mr. Donatus Nwofe
who spoke to journalists at Aguabata in Agbaja community of Izzi,
said he lost two of his buildings and property worthy several
millions to the attackers.

Nwofe, who is the chairman of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners
(NUP) Ebonyi council, said that the suspected political thugs
invaded his compound and shot sporadically before setting the
houses ablaze.

“I lost everything; even the boxers I am wearing were donated to
me by a sympathizer, as you can see, no pin was removed from the
burnt down houses.

“We now live in fear as no one knows when the hoodlums will
attack again with their AK 47 riffles and other weapons.

“I am appealing to police to beef up security in the community
and I am also calling on state and Federal governments to come to
the rescue of the victims of the attacks,” Nwofe said.

Another victim, Mr Paulinus Onyike said the suspected political
thugs from a major political party invaded Izenyi, in Agbaja
community and set houses suspected to belong to members of the
opposition ablaze.

He said the suspected political thugs who invaded the area, shot
indiscriminately before setting houses and other valuable property
ablaze in the area.

He described the attacks as barbaric and called for proper
investigation and arrest of the perpetrators.

Ebonyi APC chairman, Eze Nwachukwu, said his members bore the
brunt of the attacks.

He described the attacks as unprovoked and urged police and
other security agencies to intensify security surveillance in the
state.

Nwachukwu chronicled the alleged gruesome attacks to include;
attack on the senatorial candidate of the party in Ebonyi South
Senatorial District, Mr Nweze Onu; attacks on APC members,
destruction of their houses and property in Izzi local government
area.

Others, according to him, include: attacks and disruption of APC
local government rallies by suspected political thugs at Ebonyi,
Onitcha, Ohaozara local government areas and destruction of APC
campaign office in Ohaozara.

He also listed alleged attacks on the home of APC Zonal
Publicity Secretary, Mr. Chris Ogba at Ezzama, Ezza South on
February 16 and attack on members of the party at Ekoli-Edda among
others.

But Ebonyi PDP chairman Onyekachi Nwebonyi denied the
allegations.

“It is not true. They are the ones attacking our members. I had
briefed you on the killing of two persons on Sunday who were
attached by political thugs while six others were injured”

“PDP has been very peaceful despite the provocations. The
governor, who is a man of peace, have continued to calm the party
faithful down and urging them not to retaliate despite the
provocations”.

He decried the attacks and called on security agencies to
fish-out the perpetrators and bring them to book.