Posted: July 8, 2012
The once peaceful agrarian community, Abavo in Ika South Local
Government Area, Delta State was at the moment a shadow of itself as the
community haa been torn apart by crises.The crises which began in 2012
over a kingship tussle between King Uche Irenuma and Prince Sunday
Ekhator, took a new twist as it claimed lives of some indigenes of the
community leaving many injured.
Our reporters
who visited the community during the week escaped by the whiskers as the
King Uche Irenuma supporters and Prince Sunday Ekhator supporters
engaged each other in a fierce battle which unfortunately,left some
indigenes of the community dead and the community in ruin.As a result of
this many Abavo indigenes, particularly able bodied youths have fled
the community.The crises since it started in 2012 have rendered the
community useless as it was now a shadow of itself.
Reacting to the recent crises, the executive governor of the state,
Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan said that the situation was under control as
security agents who were deployed to the community have been directed to
ensure the safety of lives and properties.The governor advised that
while the crises last people should stay away from the community to
avoid being killed by any of the warring groups.
It was gathered that prominent youth leaders in the community, Mike
Okonta, Uche Ijebor, Miracle Osemeha, Francis Ikem and Richard Peace
have fled from the community and they could not be found for
interview.The shocking part of the crises was that the police working
with the orders of King Uche Irenuma 11, dispersed and prevented
students in secondary schools in the community from learning .The
students were tear gas and a few of them who put up resistance were
beaten up and arrested by the police. It was gathered that King Uche
Irenuma turned against the students because he felt they were used as
tools to fight him.This as a result our reporters were told the closure
of secondary schools in Abavo and the running away of the students from
Abavo. The most affected were in indigenes of Abavo who were murdered
during the crises and their properties, including cars burnt.
However, the Delta State Governor,Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan while
sympathizing the families of those who have lost their lives since the
crises started said that it was regrettable that Abavo which was before
2012 a peaceful community has now been totally destroyed.He promised
that all those behind the crises will face the wrath of the law.
