BY EMEKA MAMAH & TONY EDIKE
ENUGU — An uncle of former Minister of Power, Professor Barth Nnaji, Mr. Chijioke Nnaji was reportedly killed while several others were injured during the  renewed clashes between the Umuode and  Oruku communities  in Nkanu East Local Government of Enugu State, weekend.

Late Nnaji was killed at the burial ceremony of a prominent indigene of Umuode Community, Chief Uwadiegwu Moses Edeh in the attack said to have been started by Oruku community.

The Umuode community which made this known in a statement jointly signed by Chairman and Secretary of Umuode Town Union, Emmanuel Omaba and Paul Chukwudi respectively, alleged that Nnaji was killed by attackers from the neighbouring Oruku community.

In a statement entitled, “Attack on Umuode Community during burial,’’ the community said:  “Mayhem was again let loose on Umuode community in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State by the neighbouring Oruku community during the burial ceremony of late Chief Uwadiegwu Moses Edeh at his compound in Eziobodo Village, Umuode, on Friday, April 12, 2013.”

Meanwhile, commenting on the issue, the first son of the deceased Chief Edeh who was being buried, David Edeh, described the attack as ‘’multiple tragedy,’’ regretting that the burial of his father who retired as a staff of Government House, Enugu, after several years of meritorious service to the state  was visited with such horror.

He however, asked ‘’the Enugu State government to, as a matter of urgency, implement the white paper on the Oruku/Umuode crisis to save the peace loving people of the area from further devastation.’’

Peace talks suffer setback
The rescheduled peace talks between the warring communities of Oruku and Umuode in Nkanu East local government area of Enugu state, yesterday, suffered a setback as the meeting was shelved at the instance of Umuode people who complained of lack of security.

The community, Vanguard learnt, expressed fears that Amagunze, the council headquarter, venue of the meeting, was not safe enough to hold such talks and suggested that another venue be chosen either in Emene or Enugu.

The absence of the former Minister of Power, Professor Barth Nnaji, who is said to have traveled out of the country, scuttled the meeting as the Umuodes said the dialogue must wait until he returned to the country, as he would personally speak for his community.