But for the superior arms and combined forces of the police and army deployed to the crisis torn Effium Community in Ohaukwu LGA, the Ebonyi Deputy Governor’s convoy would have been attacked on Sunday.
The Deputy Governor Dr. Kelechi Igwe had visited the community to see things for himself but was blocked by the hoodlums on his way back.
His convoy alongside that of the State Commissioner of Police was forced to park as security men moved in to clear the road.
About 60 of them were later arrested and brought to the Police Headwaters Abakaliki.
While reports claim that over 30 persons were killed in the Effium crisis, the Ebonyi Police command confirmed the death of eight persons.
The state Commissioner of Police, Aliyu Garba made the disclosure on Sunday at the affected areas during a joint security operation which also involved the state Deputy Governor, Dr Kelechi Igwe.
Garba also confirmed that about eight houses were burnt including a petrol station but assured that normalcy had returned to the affected areas.
The crisis was fuelled by a leadership tussle at the area’s branch of the National Union of Road Transport Workers involving its old and new executives.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor, Dr Kelechi Igwe has urged the people to be calm and law abiding as the governor would restore permanent peace to the area.
