Kingship Tussle: War in Ogbaru as Igwe flees

There is ongoing crisis in Mputu, Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State as no fewer than 15 persons were feared dead with 120 persons reportedly wounded in a tussle over royal stool .

An eye witness claimed that about 3,000 people were  displaced from the community in connection with the crisis.

It was gathered that Mputu traditional ruler with his wife and cabinet members narrowly escaped death, as some youths in the community, who were armed with knives, matchets and other dangerous weapons, allegedly poured fuel on the palace of the traditional ruler and torched the house while at a meeting with his cabinet.

The traditional ruler who, we learnt, came from overseas with his wife for the purpose of the meeting,was now in exile even sources claimed that the matter was not unconnected with the long- standing tussle over the stool.

It was also gathered that the sudden and mysterious death of one of of the kingmakers of the community, the Odua of the community, who was said to be at loggerheads with the current traditional ruler, before his death, was said to be the remote cause of the crisis.

Meanwhile, the town has been deserted as citizens of the community had taken refuge in neighboring communities of Anambra and Delta states, while security operatives had taken over the town.

An attempt to contact, the Ogbaru Divisional Police Officer proved abortive as he was said to have left for the community, to assess the situation while the Police DCO of the station, who preferred anonymity, confirmed the crisis but referred the BLOG ADMIN to the PPRO in Awka, for fuller details.