By Chuks Eke
Chidebe Ibeakuzie (aka Mighty), a youth leader from Obosi community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra state died instantly during a scuffle between Obosi youths and some security forces over the control of a tricycle park located near the military cantonment, Onitsha.
During the scuffle, 2 Obosi youths were allegedly abducted, while unspecified number of others sustained various degrees of injuries arising from the gunshots.
The incident, according to the source, arose from the squabble between the family of late Tochuckwu Anyaoku from Obosi and former member of Anambra state House of Assembly, Hon. Edward Ibuzo who represented Onitsha North 1 state Constituency.
Hon. Ibuzo is laying claim to the ownership of the tricycle park, while Obosi youths are saying that their late brother, Tochuckwu Anyaoku had the park on lease before he died few years ago and his wife took over the management of the park.
Obosi youths are accusing Hon. Ibuzo of hiring the operatives of Department of State Services, DSS who they alleged did the shooting and killing of Mighty.
But in reaction to the allegation, Ibuzo who spoke to newsmen through whatsapp call, said he was not even in Nigeria but in Germany during the incident, adding that he was informed that the DSS operatives were passing by and saw some kidnappers at work and decided to stop over to rescue the victims during which an exchange of gunfire ensured.
A stakeholder from Obosi, Chief Omezie Chukwurah (aka Governor Obosi) told newsmen at Obosi that he had been making frantic efforts to avoid loss of lives in the tricycle park squabble but to no avail until eventually life has been lost.
Chukwurah also stated that Ibuzo had previously led a police team from Zone 13 Ukpo and shot an Obosi youth on the head before this latest scuffle which resulted in the death of Mighty and alleged abduction of two others who were later freed at about 2 am at Afor Nkpor market with their eyes and hands tied which inflicted some degrees on injuries on them, insisted that those who shot and killed Mighty came with two vehicles belonging to Ibuzo.
The traditional ruler of Obosi, Igwe Chidubem Iweka (Ogalagidi, Eze Iweka III), told newsmen in his palace that he has nothing to say yet until the ongoing investigations are concluded. He hiwever expressed disgust that if this scuffle is not well handed, it might revisit the old age long land dispute between Onitsha and Obosi.
President General of Obosi Development Union, ODU, Barrister Chimezie Obi also told newsmen on phone that there is no land tussle between Obosi and Onitsha, rather it was a case of an Onitsha man laying claims to the ownership of a land where an Obosi man is on lease and managing a Keke park.
Obi who further clarified that there is no doubt that the land in question is located within Obosi axis, said their concerns is that a young, vibrant Obosi was shot and killed because of his solidarity to the Obosi man who owns the Keke park which was being forcefully taken away from him by an Onitsha man.
He said they have alerted security agencies in the state to investigate the matter and come up with their findings.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochuckwu Ikenga told newsmen on phone he was not yet aware of the incident.
