…I have no hand in it – Lawmaker
Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
Survivors of a deadly clash between operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and policemen in Ebonyi State have recounted how they narrowly escaped death during the incident.
The clash, which occurred last week at a mining pit in Amaeze community, Ishiagu, Ivo Local Government Area, left one policeman dead and several others injured.
Chukwu Ajah, one of the victims, blamed the crisis on what he described as the “overzealousness and Gestapo-style operation” of the police.
According to him, the police team displayed unprofessional conduct and ignored standard operating procedures.
“We closed work at our site around 4:33 p.m. on that Wednesday and requested the Civil Defence officers guarding the site to escort us because of the insecurity in the area.
“On our way back, three police vans with over 30 armed officers blocked us. The senior Civil Defence officer with us introduced himself and asked what the problem was, but the police insisted our director, Pastor Dr. Nathan Aniokwute, was under arrest.
“The Civil Defence officer pleaded with them to issue a formal invitation so the director could appear at the station, but they refused. Instead, they seized his gun and magazine, beat him to a stupor, and later opened fire. In the process, a bullet struck a policeman, Shedrack, who died on the spot.
“They also stripped our director naked, beat him mercilessly, and seized his car key like he was a common criminal.”
Ajah alleged that the operation was illegal, noting that security agencies in the state, including the Commissioner of Police and the DPO in Ivo, were officially notified of the company’s activities before they moved into the site.
He further accused the village chairman and the member representing Ohaozara, Onicha, and Ivo Federal Constituency, Hon. Nkemkanma Kama, of conniving with another mining company, Palladum and Zottmann, to displace the legitimate licence holder, Hephzibah and Beulah Concepts Ltd.
Another victim, Onyekachi Nwaeni, who sustained a gunshot injury to his leg, also narrated his ordeal.
“We had closed from the site and were heading home when the police blocked us. They tried to arrest us and the Civil Defence officers. The officers insisted we all go together, but the policemen suddenly opened fire.
“That was how my brother and I were shot in the leg. I lost consciousness and was rushed to the hospital,” he said.
Nwaeni alleged that some community members conspired with an individual identified as Victor, linked to Palladum and Zottmann, to take over the mining site despite the Federal Government granting Hephzibah and Beulah the licence.
Lawmaker Denies Allegations
Reacting, Hon. Nkemkanma Kama denied having any hand in the clash. He said the community had rejected Hephzibah and Beulah Company, insisting the firm forced itself on the people.
“How did I cause the crisis in Amaeze, how? There was a meeting last Saturday, and I pleaded with the community to allow the company, but they said they don’t want it.
“We even asked those who supported the company to queue up, and not a single person did. Everything was recorded on video.
“I even offered to help the director recover whatever he had spent to avoid losses, but he refused. That was the last I had to do with the matter,” Kama stated.
