2 Die In Ogbaru, Anambra Communal Clash … Navy, Police Rescue Monarch, 7 Arrested

 Two  cabinet members  of Mputu community  in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State have allegedly been killed during a clash that erupted in the area.

The palace of the traditional ruler of the community,  Igwe Fidelis Odebe, was also said to have been set ablaze. He escaped being lynched by irate mob before he was rescued by security agents.

It was gathered that it took the timely arrival of a team of the navy personnel from the Onitsha Naval Base  and policemen from Ogbaru to rescue the royal father, who the attackers wanted to throw into the fire.

Sources said aggrieved youths in the community invaded the palace of the monarch, locked him up inside his house and set it ablaze.

The two dead cabinet members were suspected to be in the palace before the irate youths’ arrival.  Property allegedly burnt in the monarch’s house included his vehicle and other valuables.

Although the cause of the attack was not immediately known, sources said the youths were suspected to be agents of a faction in the community that objected to the installation of Igwe Odebe.

Contacted on the incident, the Naval Commander, Captain M.G.Oamen, confirmed the attack and said that but for their early arrival, the traditional ruler would have been burnt to death.

He said: “Infact, we saved the monarch from being burnt alive. Our presence in the riverine communities has continued to yield positive results. We rushed to the scene immediately with the police and spared the monarch but they succeeded in burning his house and vehicle.”

Confirming the incident, the Ogbaru Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Mr. Ibrahim Nuhu (SP) hinted that seven persons who were with cutlasses and axes were arrested and transferred to the State Investigation and Intelligence Bureau (SIIB), Awka.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Ogbaru Local Government Council, Victor Nwachukwu Agolua, has set up a seven-man commission to unravel the circumstances that led to the mayhem.