Leadership tussle claim 3 lives in Anambra community

No fewer than three persons were on Friday feared killed over leadership tussle in Umueri community in the Anambra East local government area of Anambra State.

It was gathered that the fracas might not be unconnected with a power tussle between the traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Benneth Emeka and the President General Umueri General Assembly, Pius Okonkwo.

A resident of the area, who refused to disclose her identity, told newsmen that there was gunshot in Mgbago Umueri by youths in the area who stormed in their numbers.

He said three bodies were found dead with varying degrees of bullet wounds following the gunshots.

Confirming the incident, President General of Umueri community, Pius Okonkwo, accused the monarch of the community of instigating the violence following attempt to assume the duties and functions of the town union executives.

He alleged that the monarch imposed a 30-man committee on the community to run the administrative duties of the town union.

According to him: “Trouble started when some youths loyal to Igwe Benneth Emeka stormed UGA meeting at Umueri Civic center and disrupted the meeting, claiming to have impeached the President General.

“Umueri has not had a Traditional Ruler for about 21 years before Ben Emeka came into the saddle and before then, our community had lasting peace but the peace and harmony are what Igwe Emeka is trying to scuttle and Umueri people will not allow that.