No fewer than fifty
elderly women from Agubia community in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi
state have protested half naked over the arrest of their sons and burning of
houses in the said community.
The women between 80
to 100 years of age, stormed the Ebonyi state government house to protest
against the increasing arrest of their sons, burning of houses and destruction
of lives and property in Agubia community.
Recall that, there was
serious crisis in Agubia community which resulted to the killing of one Chinedu
Nwali and the destruction of lives and property worth millions of Naria.
The crisis was a
result of leadership tussle between youths in Agubia community over who will
take control of the Agubia motor park.
Houses were also
burnt, and over five persons were seriously injured during the crisis and they
are currently receiving treatment at the Abakaliki Federal teaching hospital,
FTHA.
The Agubia Motor Park
is the central park where all the vehicles leaving and entering the community
stop.
Also, homes and
vehicles belonging to some of the current leaders of the parks were vandalized
and set ablaze by the opposing youths.
Speaking to
journalists, the leader of the protesters, one Beatrice Nwali said, “They came
with security agency and arrested our sons who came for a wedding three days
ago.
“They arrested about nine
of them and dumped them in police station. They also arrested another son of
ours who is a Barrister in his house. They claimed that they were involved in
Agubia motor park crisis.
“They came again with
SARS and arrested another people at night. They arrested our sons because they
claimed that they were the owners of the community.
“They have not settled
the crisis in Agubia motor park and that’s why our sons who came for a wedding
were arrested” she stated.
However, there was a
Mild drama during the protest as the protesters refused to enter into a bus
provided by the state government to take them home and money given to them was
as well rejected.
The women insisted
that they prefer to trek back to their refuge home since their houses were
completely burnt down.
Responding, the
Commissioner of Internal Security, Border Peace and Conflict Resolution, Stanley
Okoro Emeghia asked the protesters to go home, assuring them of government’s
readiness to ensure quick release of the said arrested persons.