By Vincent Ujumadu & Enyim Enyim

AWKA – TWENTY four persons suspected to be the brains behind the alleged murder of two persons and destruction of property worth millions of naira, including burning of Boys Secondary School, Owerri Ezukala in Orumba South local government area of Anambra State, were yesterday arraigned before an Awka chief magistrate court.

The suspects were taken to court by the state Criminal Investigation Department, CID, and after the charges were read to them, they pleaded not guilty.

They were, however, denied bail by the presiding Chief Magistrate, Mr. M.I. Igolo and remanded in prison custody.

The 24 suspects include Alex Nweke, Nwankwo Ilodigwe, Celestine Nwadike, Augustine Okoro, Emma Umejeri, Azubuike Elias, Philip Uwa, Nwokedi Gad, Emeka Okeke, Joe Uchegwu, Amechi Umeh, Egwuonwu Chukwumere and Onyebuchi Chukwunenye. Others included Izu Onwudiwe, Amechi Dim, Anyachor Paul, Obinna Ike, Ray Nwafor, Alloy Okoro, Uche Nwosu, Nchele Osunkwo, Onyebuchi, Emeka Okafor and Peter Ike.

The two communities of Nkputu in Owerri Ezukala and Awuka in Ogbunka, both in the local government, have, since 1987, been fighting over a piece of land separating them, culminating in last week’s clash.

People living in the affected villages have abandoned their homes, following deployment of soldiers and fierce-looking mobile policemen to the area.

During the clash, the Boy’s Secondary School in the area, which was recently equipped by the state government, was burnt and the equipment looted, while some staff of the school were chased out of their rooms and their property carted away.

Deputy Governor of the state, Mr. Emeka Sibeudu, had visited the troubled area and urged the people to give peace a chance.