By CHARLES IWUOHA

Political Thugs yesterday invaded Nkalagu community in Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State and attacked villages injuring over 10 persons, destroyed buildings, set ablaze motorcycles, cash and carted away other items.

Among those whose buildings were destroyed by the hoodlums include, that of the Acting Traditional Ruler of Nkalagu community, Eze Livinus Umeanu, the Nkalagu Town Union President, Nkalagu community, Mr. Omaha Joseph, that of the Village Chief of Imeoha, Chief James Mbagu, among others.

It was gathered that motorcycle numbering about five were set ablaze, undisclosed amount of money were also burnt while other items destroyed by the thugs includes, four deep freezers, GP tanks, two generating sets and other household appliances.

Narrating their ordeal, the Town Union President, Mr. Omabe Joseph said that trouble started when the community raised against, a youth leader in the community, Mr. Emeka Onukwube and his gang who specializes in vandalising the properties of Nigercem Cement Company in the community.

Mr. Omebe regretted that despite the efforts of Chief Cletus Ibeto to revive the premier cement factory in the community, Mr. Onukwube and his gang goes into the factory armed, cart away equipment of the company and sell them as scraps to waiting buyers.

He noted that when the community realized what was happening, they mobilized security personnel who accosted them and ensured that their activities were stopped adding that the community also removed him as the youth leader of the community.

The Town Union President noted that he vowed to create crisis in the community and also ensured that anyone who has a hand in his suspension as youth leader and stoppage of his activities would face his wrath.

Mr. Omabe expressed the regret that few days ago, Mr. Onukwube had a fight with his cousin who was also against his activities in the community, adding that after the fight, he left and mobilised his friends and other thugs, brought them into the community, attacked people and destroyed properties worth millions.

The Town Union President also alleged that the hoodlums were acting on the instruction of a National Assembly member from the area whom he said used the thugs to unleash mayhem on his supposed political enemies.

Another Victim, Mr. Awara Sampson, who described the attack on the community as unfortunate called on the Commissioner for Police, the Director of the State Security Service and the State Government to ensure the arrest of those who masterminded the attacks on the members of the community.

Awara cautioned against using thugs to attack innocent members of the community by the National Assembly member adding that the community will continue to protect the equipment at the cement factory against those who are against the revival of the company.