Enugu, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The President General of Abatete community in Idemili North local government area of Anambra State, Chief Nwajiugo Okoye has said that his leadership never brought gunmen to kill youths.
One of the people killed by gunmen in the community was a 25 year old mechanic on a Monday which is usually a sit at home.
Okoye regretted that youths of the community went on rampage and destroyed some property, including the town hall, Igwe’s Palace, his own house, among others, following the misconception by some people.
Addressing the people of the community during its annual August convention, he said: “My people, we are deeply saddened for being confronted by so much animosity, antipathy, enmity, hostility, rancour, deep-rooted bitterness and vindictiveness, all because we came to serve our people and salvage situations in Abatete.
“This has elicited hostility and antagonism in our little community. If I may ask, where is the brotherly love in this town? Which direction are we heading to? Who inflicted this injury on us?
“We are highly disappointed with the utterances from some of our young elites and adults in Abatete, who are bent on fueling crises in our town and determined to cause havoc.
“The ugly incidence of wanton destruction of properties is the aftermath of their inciting messages to the youths of our dear town.
“They may have achieved their ultimate goals in the destruction of innocent people’s properties, but of what benefit to them; if not to set-back progress in the town?
“I never knew that all our efforts to improve our dear town was in futility and not appreciated.”
He regretted the death of some youths in the area, saying, “We never brought any gunmen, whether known or unknown to kill anybody in Abatete. The unfortunate incident occurred on the day of ‘sit-at-home’ and was between the state government, taskforce and the youths.
“However, some disgruntled elements in Abatete and those that have been looking for opportunity to attack some people took advantage of the situation and assembled youths from within and outside Abatete to cause mayhem.