Thugs numbering over 50 yesterday at Ezzamgbo junction in Ohaukwu Local Government area of Ebonyi State attacked the Commissioner for Environment, Barrister David Egbu, 13 journalists working with different national and local media organisations as well as environmental sanitation taskforce members, beating them to stupor while monitoring sanitation exercise at the area.

Sunday Mirror gathered that the squabble ensued when the taskforce with the convoy of the Commissioner arrived the Ezzamgbo junction Motor Park to monitor the level of compliance of the people to the monthly sanitation exercise but it was awkward that the people were going about their normal businesses.

Meanwhile, the thugs vandalized the Commissioner’s official vehicle, beat up the State correspondent of National Mirror Newspaper, Mr. Godwin Aluina, and an official of Elite security agency, Mr. Nwibo Felix and also attempted destroying the Video camera of the Ebonyi State Broadcasting Corporation EBBC.

“On getting to the junction, the Commissioner for Environment observed that people were carrying out their commercial activities unrestricted. On sighting the Commissioner and his team, most of them ignored him and continued their business. The commissioner ordered that they be stopped and their equipment confiscated. The security agents and the taskforce confiscated some vulcanizing machines and carried them into the Hilux Van of the Commissioner but immediately a man suspected to be the Chairman of the park ordered his boys to bring down the confiscated machines”.

“Immediately, over 50 thugs including artisans besieged the taskforce team and surrounded the Commissioner’s vehicle and started bringing down the machines. When the team attempted stopping them, the thugs ran inside the park, carried stones, log of woods, axe, machete and other dangerous weapons and attacked the team”.

“The Commissioner, journalists and some taskforce members had to escape from the scene but the thugs started throwing stones and other dangerous items at the official vehicle the Commissioner and the bus conveying journalists. Attempting to also escape, the thugs got hold of one of the security team and beat him to stupor while others descended on the National Mirror Correspondent, hitting him with wood on the head,” one of the journalists said.

However, it was gathered that policemen staying close to the park were helpless even as all pleas made by journalists and members of the taskforce for them at the junction to help and rescue them proved abortive. The Police team rather than assist drove out from the scene of the incident.

bunch of animals, they should close up that park for one month, why should people be going about with their normal business on sanitation day which is only once in a month and does not even exceed 10:00am, ebonyi people that dominated Nnewi, they are too local and sturborn.

Nigeria now practices 'indirect' military system of government. Corruption is now a general disease, even the 'Salt of the Nation' has lost its savour.

fake news from the pit of hell we that re in Ebonyi didnt hear or see anything the commissioner went to ezzomgbo nothing happened even ebbc didnt report of any assault on it crew members .

SO THERE'RE THUGS ALSO IN SOUTH EAST. WHY IS THAT THE IBO ALWAYS MAKE A BELIEVE THAT THERE EROSION LAND /LANDLOCKED IS IN ORDER.

#AGBERO DEY FOR SOUTH EAST.

APC is the cause of this rubbish.

Martins Elechi has brought APC and "Agberoism" to South East.