Anambra probes killings in communities, group flays Aba attempted jail break

The Anambra State Government has inaugurated a committee to establish the immediate and remote causes of the mayhem in Omor and Umumbo communities in Ayamelum Council Area that led to the killing of four persons.

During the clash that lasted four days, over 300 persons were injured, while about 1, 500 residents deserted the communities just as 60 persons have be declared missing including 78-year old Pa Chukwudalu.

Traditional ruler of Umumbo, Igwe Simeon Ikechukwu Chidubem claimed the violence was a war of aggression carried out against his community, but his Omor counterpart, Igwe Chris Oranu differed, claiming that it was a crisis between farmers from both communities.

Inaugurating the Peace Committee, Governor Willie Obiano, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Nkem Okeke, charged the panel to provide necessary information that would enable the state government to settle the communal crisis.

It was also charged with making recommendations that would help to permanently resolve the issue, and avert similar violence that may emerge between the communities and others in future.The panel has Professor Solomon Ekwenze as its Chairman and Permanent Secretary, SSG’s office, Dr. Emma Ude-Akpeh as Secretary.

Other members are, Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Uche Okafor, representative of Oyi/Ayamelum Federal Constituency, Vincent Ofumelu, Traditional Ruler of Omasi Community and Chairman, Ayamelum Council of Traditional Rulers, Igwe Benjamin Okeji, Chief Paul Odenigbo, Reverend Father John Manafa, Bonny Emengini and Tony Iwoba.

Meanwhile, the Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development (FENRAD) has condemned the recent attempted jail break by inmates at the Aba Correctional Centre in Abia State.

The group demanded that the Comptroller of Correctional Centre in the state should trail and arrest those who shot three inmates, which resulted in their being hospitalised.

In a statement issued by the Executive Director, Nelson Nnanna Nwafor and Head, Legal Team, Olusegun Bamgbose, the group expressed shock over the incident, saying, “Abia State received the news of attempted jail break by some inmates in Aba Correctional Facility with dismay.

It stressed that Aba, as a commercial nerve centre of the South East, should be secure, noting that in attempt to halt the jail break, three inmates were injured and have been hospitalised.

FENRAD lamented the mayhem, especially as the country battles the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that the development should avail Abia and all security agencies an opportunity to look inwards and reassess the journey for peace.