By CHARLES IWUOHA

Security operatives from Eastern Naval Command, Calabar, Cross River State, have arrested 12 Stakeholders of Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, in connection to the killing of a Naval Officer in the area.

This is coming one week after a Coordinator of Ngbo West Development Centre, Barr. Peter Igwe Ogenyi, was also whisked away by operatives of the Command, who came from Calabar.

News Express reports that about a month ago, a Naval Officer who reportedly missed his way, was said to have disappeared at Eguorie village in Umuogodoakpu-Ngbo community in Ohaukwu LGA.

Governor David Umahi had given security agencies in the state seven days to produce the Naval Officer dead or alive.

The people of Ngbo in Ebonyi State and their neighbouring Agila community in Ado LGA of Benue State have been enmeshed for decades in intractable boundary crisis that has claimed many lives and millions of property lost.

Sources told News Express that the naval operatives had invaded the Ohaukwu Council Secretariat at about 5pm on Tuesday, April 7, 2020, where the stakeholders were having a security meeting and whisked away 12 of them.

Though the names of the stakeholders whisked away were still sketchy, the source, however, identified one Elder Oselebe as well as a younger brother to Senator Anthony Agbo, as being among those picked up.

The operatives were reported to have over-powered the policeman guarding the Council Chairman, and forcefully entered his conference room where the meeting was taking place.

The meeting was at the instance of the council Chairman, Mr. Clement Odah.

It was gathered that some aides of the Chairman on noticing that all was not well, quickly smuggled him into his office and locked it, before the naval officers could get to the venue of the meeting.

The naval operatives were said to have insisted on seeing the Chairman, but his aides told them he was not on seat.

Apparently aware they were being deceived, the naval officers attempted to forcefully open the Chairman’s office, which led to a near face-off between them and the Chairman’s aides, before they soft-pedalled and took the other 12 stakeholders away.

When the Council Chairman, Mr. Clement Odah, was contacted to react to the development, he picked offence and asked what the reporter’s business was, over the issue.

“You people (referring to journalists) should go and look for work. Stop following people around. Write a book. What is your business with the people arrested? Do you want to be their lawyer? Please, stop disturbing me, I’m busy,” Mr. Odah said, in an anger laden tone.