By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

A kingship tussle in a riverine community of Ogbaru in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State has left one person dead while five others sustained varying degrees of injury.

Information has it that houses were also vandalised in the clash which was between some youths of the community allegedly loyal to the traditional ruler of the community, HRH Igwe Oliver Nnaji (Igwe Ogwuniocha), and a rival group loyal to one self-acclaimed traditional ruler also of same community, Okwudili Oganah.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Haruna Mohammed, who confirmed the incident, said that 16 persons were in police custody in connection with the incident.

He said: “On the 25/6/2020 at about 2:am there was a report of clash between some group of youth allegedly loyal to HRH Igwe Oliver Nnaji (Igwe Ogwuniocha), a riverine Community in Ogbaru LGA of Anambra State with another group of persons loyal to one Okwudili Oganah who allegedly crowned himself Igwe.

“As a result of the clash, one person was confirmed dead, five persons sustained injuries and some houses vandalised.

“Following the report, the Command quickly mobilised and dispatched joint patrol teams led by the Area Commander Oraifite, ACP Afolabi Wilfred, to the scene.

“Sixteen suspects have been arrested and investigation is ongoing to ascertain actual cause of the incident and extent of damage.

“Meanwhile, normalcy has been restored in the affected area and Joint Security teams comprising of the Police, Navy, Civil Defence and local vigilante are on ground patrolling the community in order to forestall further breakdown of law and order.

“The Commissioner of Police, John Abang, enjoined all the warring factions to refrain from further hostilities and explore legal avenues towards addressing their grievances rather than resorting to violence which could lead to loss of lives and wanton destruction of property in the state.”