A community conflict has erupted in Umuahia, Abia State, as two neighboring communities trade accusations over the destruction of school property at Okauiga Nkwoegwu community secondary school.
The President General of Okauigo Nkwoegwu Improvement Union, Uzomba Ekwuruibe, has raised an alarm accusing residents from Amachara community in Umuahia South LGA of vandalizing the school premises.
According to Ekwuruibe, the alleged attackers invaded Umunenweze and other villages within Okauiga Nkwoegwu community armed with dangerous weapons including dane guns, cutlasses, and hammers before proceeding to vandalize the school.
"The attackers were overheard boasting and claiming they had the support of their people and other powerfully connected individuals in government," Ekwuruibe stated in a press release.
He has appealed to the Abia State government and security agencies to intervene by arresting and prosecuting those responsible for the destruction, while urging his community members to remain peaceful as they await justice.
Amachara Community Denies Involvement
In a swift reaction, leaders of the Amachara community have vehemently denied any involvement in the incident. The President of Amachara Welfare Association, Amarachukwu Uchendu, and the Secretary, Ekeledo Obioma, dismissed the allegations as false.
The Amachara leaders described their community as peaceful and claimed that the school in question "had been in ruins for many years since it was relocated to Nkwoegwu Central School."
They have called on the State government and the general public to disregard any claims linking them to the alleged destruction of the school property.
The incident has heightened tensions between the two communities, which are located in Umuahia North and Umuahia South LGAs respectively. As of the time of this report, there has been no official response from the Abia State government or security agencies regarding the allegations.
Local sources indicate that boundary disputes and ownership claims have historically caused friction between communities in the area, though it remains unclear if such issues are connected to the current situation.