The Ebonyi State Police Command has confirmed the death of eight persons, among them a three-month-old baby following resumed clashes over boundary dispute between two communities in the state.
Police spokesperson in the state, Loveth Odah, who confirmed the incident, said five persons among the dead were of the same family. They were burnt to death in a bus they were travelling in.
According to her, the incident took place on Saturday, April 6.
“It is a longstanding dispute between Ndiagu Alike community in Ikwo local government area and Enyibichiri community in Abakaliki local government area that erupted the on Saturday.
“A vehicle was seen burning on the road allegedly set ablaze by ‘warriors’ from one of the communities.
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“The victims were coming from Abakaliki where they attended the matriculation of their son. Five of them were from the same family including a baby; one is a neighbour who joined them.
“Also three other persons were attacked, and two of them were killed. One of them, a woman was the wife of a police officer deployed to Bornu,” she said.
The Commissioner for Border Peace and Internal Security, in the state, Kenneth Ugbala, also said some occupants of other cars behind the burnt bus were injured by stray bullets, but are receiving treatment at the hospital in Abakaliki.
He said the state government has deployed more security operatives to the area to restore normalcy, adding that the Deputy Governor of the state, Kelechi Igwe, will visit the area to ascertain the level of damage.
The state Governor, David Umahi who was said to be outside the country on vacation has cut short his trip and is expected back in the state soon to attend to the crisis.
