Two persons were feared dead following attack at Awgbu community in Orumba North local government area of Anambra State.
An indigene of the town, Mr. Obi Tribe said the killings had nothing to do with the leadership crisis in the area.
He described the incident as a reprisal attack by hoodlums fighting each other, adding that those who set a section of the Eke Awgbu market ablaze pursued their victims from the neighbouring Amaokpala community to Awgbu.
An eye witness had said that during a clash at the Eke Awgbu market on Thursday night, some of the youths set ablaze some shops allegedly belonging to opposing groups.
He said those killed were operatives of the town’s vigilante outfit, who were gunned down at their duty post.
A community leader in the area, Chief Ben Ezeibe appealed to Governor Chukwuma Soludo to intervene in the matter with a view to restoring peace.
Ezeibe attributed the lingering leadership problem in the town to people’s refusal to obey court order.
He recalled that the issue of autonomous community in the area is still lingering at the Supreme Court, noting that only government can make it possible for the town to be united.
He said: “They called me last night that there was trouble in Awgbu. The problem we have in the town is as a result of leadership tussle.
“I had told them that any community that has factionalized leadership cannot progress.
“Criminals have taken over Eke Awgbu and are making life unbearable for the people because of the protracted dispute and I want to appeal to Governor Soludo to step into the matter and resolve it.”
