No fewer than two persons were killed on Monday while a dozen others sustained various degrees of injuries when rival youth groups clashed along Onitsha-Owerri Road at Onitsha in Anambra.
It was learnt that vehicles and wares of some traders were damaged, resulting to the shutting of shops the Ogbaru Relief Market in Onitsha.
The bloody clash, which lasted for over four hours from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., was over the control of the Aba Motor Park, along Onitsha-Owerri Road.
An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that trouble started when one of the warring factions reportedly stormed the park to take control.
“On arrival, the faction which was with about 40 youths armed with cutlasses and knives were barred from entering the park.
“In the process, they engaged the other faction, which had already taken control of the park in a bloody clash.
“At least two youths had their bodies lying lifeless in the park while over 12 others got serious wounds before mobile policemen came and dispersed them all,’’ the witness stated.
Reacting to the development, Mr Chukwuemeka Omeiyi-Oga, the Anambra State Coordinator of the Association of Igbo Youths Organisation, warned that the body would no longer tolerate the activities of unruly youths in Onitsha and its environs.
The Anambra State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Mr Emeka Chukwuemeka, who confirmed the incident said that the police was on top of the situation.
“We have restored normalcy along the road and we will track-down and arrest the leaders of the youth factions involved,’’ Chukwuemeka said.
NAN
