----- residents run for dear lives
A once peaceful farming community, Abavo in Ika South Local Government Area, Delta State was at the moment a shadow of itself as the community has been torn apart by crises.The crises which began on July 13, 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, Uche Ijebor, Miracle Osemeha, Francis Ikem,Richard Peace and Osabohine Marvelous 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.
