Youths protest against killing of APC chief in Ebonyi

Council chairman imposes curfew on Bayelsa community

Ebonyi youths under the auspices of Ezza Ezekuna Youth Association (EEYA) yesterday protested against the mysterious death of All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman of Ezza Council, Ernest Oduu. No fewer than 1000 members of the group marched around major streets in Abakaliki before heading for Government House, Abakaliki, demanding the arrest and prosecution of those involved in Oduu’s murder.

He had slumped and confirmed dead on Saturday at a hotel in Enugu allegedly owned by a chieftain of the party in Ebonyi State.The youths called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, to investigate the circumstances that led to Oduu’s death.

They carried placards bearing inscriptions such as: IGP, Please Investigate The Death Of Our Son; Ezza Youths Mourn Ernest; We Don’t Want The Death Of Our Brother Swept Under The Carpet and The Cause Of His Death Must Be Made Public, among others.Leader of the group, Leonard Alegu, said they went to Government House to protest against the delay of the Enugu Police Command to unravel the death of Oduu and urged the Ebonyi State government to liaise with the Enugu State Commissioner for Police (CP) to commence an investigation of the matter.

Receiving the protesters, Chief of Staff, Ebonyi State Government House, Ofor Okorie, thanked the youths for embarking on a peaceful protest rather than taking the laws into their own hands.He said their action was commendable and showed a high level of maturity and civility.

Ebonyi State Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Tony Olofu, said the command would collaborate with its Enugu State counterpart to investigate the matter.

Meanwhile, Caretaker Chairman of Brass Local Council of Bayelsa State, Victor Isaiah, has imposed a nine-hour curfew on the crisis-ridden council area, saying he was saved by divine providence over an attempt on his life by thugs allegedly sponsored by an APC chieftain in the community.He had imposed a 9pm-6am curfew in the community following violent confrontation between suspected APC thugs and members of local vigilante groups.

Speaking with newsmen after inspecting some of the property destroyed during the clash in which three persons were killed, Isaiah disassociated his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the violence.