New Yam Festival In Ebonyi Results In Violence Following Police Action

New Yam Festival In Ebonyi Results In Violence Following Police Action

At least 10 individuals were injured, and several others were hospitalized in Ihie village, Ishiagu Autonomous Community, Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State…….CONTINUE READING 

According to reports from DAILY POST, chaos erupted on Saturday when a team of armed policemen from the state command stormed the area, disrupting the New Yam Festival. The community had been in a celebratory mood, with canopies set up and other preparations finalized for the event, when the officers arrived in five heavily armed Hilux vans and destroyed all items meant for the celebration.

The damage included sound systems, plastic chairs, canopies, tables, electricity generators, and various other valuables. Additionally, the police confiscated cannon guns that had been set up for the festivities. Upon noticing journalists in the vicinity, the officers ordered them to stop taking pictures and vacate the area.

After the journalists left for a nearby community, the police began firing teargas and dismantling the festival setup. Women who were preparing food for the celebration were affected by the teargas, as was a sick young woman named Peculiar Ajah, who was receiving treatment in her home. “I was on a drip in my bed when the police fired the teargas directly at our house. I started losing my breath until I was smuggled out,” she recounted.

A 77-year-old resident, Leonard Ekeh, condemned the police action as a violation of the community’s cultural traditions and called on the state Commissioner of Police to investigate. “I am not happy with what the policemen did in my community. How can you disrupt our culture?” he said. Ekeh added, “We have never experienced such a thing, and I urge the Commissioner to look into this matter. I would have confronted them if I had been there; I am ready to die for my people. At 77, I fear no one.”

Ume Cletus, the community’s President General, stated that September 29 is designated for the New Yam Festival and questioned the police’s motive for disrupting it. He alleged that the traditional ruler has been causing unrest, leading the community to pass a vote of no confidence against him.

The state police spokesperson, DSP Joshua Ukandu, claimed he was unaware of the incident but promised to contact the Ivo police division regarding the matter. Attempts to reach the traditional ruler for comment were unsuccessful, as their phone was switched off. This incident occurred less than 24 hours after local government Chairman Emmanuel Ajah banned all activities in the council area due to insecurity.