A detachment of police and Armoured Personnel Carrier have been deployed to Oruku community in Nkanu East local government following fresh crisis in the community.
A section of the same community reportedly stormed the houses of perceived enemies, burning houses, shops including the palace of Igwe Cornelius Anike Nome.
The Oruku village market was also burnt by the hoodlums.
The new Enugu State commissioner of police, Mohammed Ndastu Aliyu who visited the scene on Sunday described the incident as “unfortunate”.
CP Aliyu decried the inability of the community leaders and members to alert the security agencies as this could have been avoided if his men were informed.
“Obviously, before something of this happens, there must have been speculations. If we were informed, before the hoodlums arrive, they will meet is here.
“We are calling on the community members and the public, to always alert their leaders that can easily contact the police if there’s any information that could be helpful to stop things like this. If they reach us, we will take a proactive action to avert this type of occurrence,” the CP said.
The Commissioner immediately deployed his men and an Armoured Personnel Carrier to avoid any further breakdown of law and destruction of properties and called on the people to be calm as the command will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that anyone responsible for the destruction is brought to book.
One of the community leaders, Ejike Ani said the people responsible for the destruction are angry with some members of their community for signing the 30/7 peace agreement with Umuode community following the peace efforts of the Governor.
“The destruction you are seeing here is because we signed the 30/7 peace agreement with the people of Umuode. As you can see, the palace of the Igwe of Aguikpa Autonomous community, HRH, Igwe Cornelius Anike Nome has been completely razed down.
“Today, there’s no problem between Oruku and Umuode, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has settled this matter but some people aren’t happy with the peace because we wanted the illegal arms used in fighting Umuode to be handed over to the police (20 AK 47 and 2 GPMGs),” he said.
Hon. Ejike who was the former council chairman of Nkanu East LGA accused some members of their community of sponsoring the cultists that carried out the carnage.
