From Steve Oko, Umuahia
The youth wing of the apex Igbo body, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has urged Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State to declare a state of emergency in Ikwere and Etche Council Areas following violent communal clashes that have engulfed both councils in the last three days.
Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), has however sued for peace in the affected communities.
The National President of Ohanaeze Youth Council, Comrade Igboayaka O Igboayaka, regretted the sad incident where innocent people in the area “are killed and thrown into nearby rivers within Etche and Ikwerre.”
OYC said “over 100 innocent youths have been killed so far” since violence erupted in the area even as it noted that the cause of death and those perpetuating evil in Etche and Ikwerre communities are yet to be unmasked.
The apex Igbo youths body pointed accusing fingers at ONELGA Security, Peace and Advisory Committee (OSPAC), the local vigilante group assisting in ensuring that order and security at Ogba/Ndoni/Egbema local government areas (ONELGA) is maintained.
A statement by OYC signed by its President, Comrade Igboayaka. O. Igboayaka, urged the police to unmask and arrest the perpetrators for prosecution.
“We therefore urge the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Mr. Mustapha Dandaura Belel to swing into action to fish out the murderers and perpetrators of these crimes with immediate effect and bring them to book”.
Comrade Igboayaka also urged the Chairman of Etche Local Government Area, Hon. Obinna Anyanwu; his Ikwerre Local Government Area, counterpart, Hon. Samuel Nwanosike to collaborate and pull resources together in ensuring that peace is restored in the troubled areas, stressing that the situation is going out of hand which have made the communities to live in fear.
