30 Vehicles, 20 Buildings, Other Properties Allagedly Vandalized by Irate Youths Protesting Controversial Election

By Praise Chinecherem

No fewer than 30 vehicles, 20 buildings and other properties worth millions of Naira were allegedly destroyed on Tuesday by irate youths in Odekpe in Ogbaru Local Government Area in Anambra State, over election crisis in the community.

Trouble reportedly started when the landlords Association (non indigenes) in the area carried out election of their leaders which did not go down well with the indigenes.

A resident who preferred anonymity said, “In efforts to hold firm the leadership of the community, the indigenes sponsored a candidate of their own and conducted election last Sunday, ahead of that of the landlords’ billed for the following day (Monday).

“As the landlords association members were conducting the election on Monday at Creative Model School, the youths stormed the scene and sacked residents, destroying chairs, tables, electoral materials, vehicles, buildings, among others items.

“The landlords who insisted on conducting the election, went to another place where they successfully conducted the election and Sunday Obinze, was declared the winner.”

Reacting, the elected President, Obinze who put worth of the damage at over #30million, said the perpetrators must pay for the damages.

He said, “At about 7.30 am this morning, some youths from Ogbaru, stormed my house, set my car ablaze, smashed the glass windows, doors, collected #3.5million meant for workers.

“They must pay for the damages and car, including those of other people. What they destroyed worth over #30million. One person is almost dead, and over 15 people sustained various degrees of injuries.

“The igwe of Odekpe and the PG, Innocent Nwanosike, sent the youths who made it known to us when they were carrying out the destruction,” he stated.

The secretary, Okolie Chukwunonso, on his part, claimed his pharmacy was broken into and #4million used for POS business, his barbing equipment, provisions in his shop, among other items were carted away.

He accused both President General of Odekpe and the monarch of being behind the destructions that resulted in residents vacating the community.

In a swift reaction, the accused President General of Odekpe community, Innocent Nwanosike, described the incident as unfortunate, saying the matter would have been resolved through the court or government instead of resorting to violence.

“I heard of the mayhem and lamented over the damages. This case would have been amicably solved by the court or Government instead of resorting to violence. This case is election matter, who will be the President of the landlords association,” he disclosed.

Confirming the incident, Police spokesperson, Ikenga Tochukwu said the police were on top of the situation.