Tension in Ebonyi as Army takes over Nigercem

There was pandemonium and tension at the weekend in Nkalagu, Ishielu local government area of Ebonyi State as community leaders, traditional rulers and youth leaders had to flee following the invasion of the community by some persons suspected to be soldiers numbering over 50.

They were said to have been deployed to the Nkalagu Cement factory, Nigercem, following the lingering dispute between the Ebonyi State government and the Ibeto Group.
The Caretaker Committee chairman of the local government, Stanley Odawu who made the disclosure during a visit to the Ebonyi State governor, Chief Martin Elechi said that the soldiers who were deployed to the community were there on the instance of Ibeto Group of Companies adding that the suspected soldiers arrived the community with six Helux Jeeps and are armed to the teeth.
According to him, “The place is ours, the land is ours, the mineral resources given by God to us is ours, and as I am speaking with you now over 50 soldiers armed to the teeth are there ready to shot anybody that is not staff of Nigercem. They invaded our community, parading dangerous weapons. We have decided to remain calm but let it be said that we are peace loving people and no amount of intimidation and harassment would deter us from enjoying our God given gift.
“The governor has said it, we are peace loving people.
And we believe in leave and let leave, let the people who believe they have the army and we that have the people leave, because as it stands now intimidation is the order of the day.
They can intimidate us but they can never take that which rightly belongs to us. We know the people supporting this evil. Our fear is that they are gradually bringing in soldiers into the State to help them prosecute the forthcoming election but with or without soldiers, our votes must count this time”.