Some unknown gunmen allegedly sponsored by a prominent politician in the state on Monday invaded Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State and sacked four communities.

The affected communities are Egwie, Okomoko, Ulakwo 1 and Ulawkwo 2. The communities have been deserted while the villagers have taken refuge in the bush. One soldier and an Air Force officer reportedly sustained bullet wounds.

Eye witnesses said that the violence was orchestrated by a politician who wanted to gain political dominance in the area. One of them said:

“The incident took place at Ulakwo and later extended to other communities. The violence was orchestrated by a politician in the area. There are pending political issues in the area. The gunmen shot from 11.00am to 12.00am yesterday. The communities involved have not known peace. Since yesterday we have been running up and down because of the shooting. All the youths, women and men have deserted the communities and are presently taking refuge in the bush. The politicians are arming the youths with different weapons.

“The key actor in this violence is a prominent PDP chieftain in the area who is not happy that his son is in opposition APC and was appointed care taker committee Chairman of the Council. A father should not make his son’s administration ungovernable because of political differences.

“I want to advise the PDP chieftain to allow peace to reign in the community. As I speak now all our people are taking refuge in the bush because of fear of being killed.”

The Chairman of Etche progressive network, Mr Israel Marshall described the shooting as barbaric and uncalled for.

“It is very unfortunate that people could go this far in the name of politics. Brothers and friends are now enemies because of politics. If people could go this far today, one wonders what would happen in 2015 general elections. Those who are supporting and sponsoring violence in Etche should bear in mind that the people of Etche know them. All the youths that allowed themselves to be used to destroy our culture and heritage should know that there is consequences for their actions. They fail to realise that politics comes and goes but families and friends remain the same,” he said.

He called on the youths to embrace peace and not allow themselves to be used by desperate politicians.

The Caretaker Committee Chairman of Etche LGA, Mr. Charles Anyanwu, has appealed to all the parties involved in the crisis to sheathe their sword. Anyanwu who spoke to reporters on the incident confirmed that a solider and an Air Force officer sustained bullet wounds during the crisis.

“I learnt that two military officers sustained bullet wounds. From the report I got, it was the youths that were involved in the shooting that shot at the military men. This is uncalled for even when 2015 elections are yet to come,” he said.

Meanwhile, the indigenes of the affected communities that ran to the bush on the heels of the shooting are yet to return to their respective homes despite the heavy presence of military men in the area.

•Text courtesy of Daily Independent. Photo shows Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State.