BY PETER OKUTU

ABAKALIKI – Three persons were reportedly killed, just as two reporters, Emmanuel Igwe of National Issue and Advocate Newspapers’ Uchenna Inya, last weekend, escaped death, when two kindreds of Izzi Clan in Izzi local government area of Ebonyi State clashed during a political rally in the state.

The kindreds were both  supporters of the senatorial candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Chris Nwankwo, and All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, Chief Fidelis Nwankwo, in this year’s general election.

Vanguard gathered that the incident left no fewer than five persons critically injured, following machete cuts on their bodies.

The victims were said to be receiving treatment at the private ward of Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital, EBSUTH, Abakaliki.

According to an eye witness account, the clash, which occurred at Obvudu Echi village, near  Nnodo Development Centre headquarters, started as the rally organized by the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, was invaded by youths suspected to be loyal to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, senatorial candidate in the area.

When Vanguard visited the area, it looked deserted as only few girls and children between the ages of four and six were seen, while houses were still under lock, with some shops vandalized.

Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Ebonyi State Police Command, ASP John Eluu, said he was yet to establish contact with the Divisional Police Officer of Iboko Police Division but promised to beef up security in the area.