ASABA — Abavo community in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State is boiling as no fewer than five houses were vandalised and several persons injured  following attempt by some youths in the community to invade their monarch’s palace.

Among the houses destroyed was the one where the mother of the monarch lives, adjacent to the palace.

Vanguard gathered that there had been lingering crisis in the community since the issue of discovery of oil came to the front burner few years ago to the extent that aggrieved faction had been clamouring for the dethronement of the monarch, which the state government had waded into in the past appealing for calm.

Although what sparked off the latest hostility, which erupted weekend, was still sketchy at press time, Vanguard gathered that both the faction loyal to the king and opposing faction clashed when the news spread that the opposing faction was planning to overrun the palace.

As a result of the clash, security has been beefed up in the town as security men have taken over the entire community.

Contacted, the acting Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Charles Muka, confirmed the clash, saying: “There were some skirmishes there but the situation has been brought under control. We heard some persons were planning to invade the palace but we quickly sent our men there.”

The Abavo monarch, Obi Uche Irenuma II accused the youths of an alleged plot to use extra judicial means to dethrone him but gave no further explanation.

Sometime last year, precisely August 5, 2013, there was a peace meeting at his palace attended by the warring parties and prominent Abavo sons, which was summoned at his instance.