From Alphonsus Nweze, Onitsha
The police in Anambra state have arrested eight persons over a communal class between Obosi and Nkpor communities in Idemili North Local Government Area of the State.
Loading ...But a hotelier, Mr Sunny Ebolum, who said he was the target of the attack alleged that the whole thing was an armed robbery attack by Nkpor youths who had invaded his new building at Ugammuka Village, Obosi armed with guns and dangerous weapons, where they attacked his stite supervisor, Julian Chukwura, on August 3, 2016.
He said that the hoodlums numbering over 200, shot indiscriminating into his site, where they shot Chukwura at the chest , two legs and robbed him of cash worth N10, 500, $1,300 and a casio wrist watch.
Ebolum who alleged that the one Chibuzor Okeke from Nkpor led and dished out orders to the boys during the incident, saying that at the hearing of the indiscriminate shooting, he called the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Obosi and the Special Anti-Robbery squad, Idemili Sector Commander.
He said that after some time, SARS operatives who arrived at the scene, chased them and in the process, one of them with Pump Action gun and a motorbike fell, abandoning them.
He said that police has arrested eight of the hoodlums, two of them allegedly caught with shotguns, while two had made useful statement.
Ebolum who also alleged that there was an attempt to touch his hotel with improvised explosives by the hoodlums, expressed shock that after some days, Personal Assistant (PA) to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police Zone 9, Umuahia, came to take over the case file.
“This is an armed robbery case. SARS are handling the matter. They should be allowed to conduct their investigation and charge the suspects to court. Why is Zone 9 hijacking the case. It is suspicious; we suspect a foul play. They should allow investigation to take place. AlG cannot just come and take over criminal matter. Now some of the suspects are walking free under police escort” Ebolum said .
But Chibuzor Okeke dismissed the allegation that he led Nkpor youths to attack Ebolum’s site supervisor, saying that Ebolum was economical with the truth as he has long outstanding issue with him over a thorough fare that passed through his (Ebolum)’s hotel to his estate, Afomili-Mgbachu, Nkpor of which he is the chairman .
Okeke denied ever taking part in any shooting or sending anybody to that effect, alleging that it was Obosi youths that came to attack the Nkpor youths.
He alleged that Ebolum wanted to determine who uses the road, which he (Okeke) paid for, from the same Ebolum’s landlord, saying that the Landlord and the traditional ruler of Obosi had waded into the matter to broker peace between two of them.
He wondered how Ebolum would accuse him of armed robbery, pretending that there was no issue between both of them and accused him of deliberate attempt to tarnish his reputation.
He also alleged that Ebolum was working in concert with some powerful people in Nkpor who have not been happy with him because he exposed their fraudulent activities in the community .
Attempts to confirm the incident from the Anambra State Police Command failed as the handsets of the Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO) in the State, Nkiru Nwode, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) was ringing unavailable.
