EBONYI STATE PROTESTS TURNS BLOODY AS YOUTHS CLASH WITH FIRE SERVICE OFFICIALS.

Angered by failure of officials of Ebonyi State Fire Service in Abakaliki, to quell the inferno that gutted a 17-room apartment and eight shops, in the capital city, angry youths numbering over 200, on Thursday, clashed with officials of the service, resulting to vandalisation of vehicles belonging to the Fire service.
The incident, which occurred at a building located at No 13, Awolowo Street, close to the headquarters of the service, in Abakaliki, led to the destruction of properties worth millions of naira.
Findings by the Nigerian Tribune indicated that the clash ensued when officials of the service arrived at the scene of the incident without water, after several hours of delay, resulting to the inferno destroying items which included refrigerators, electronics, furniture and other household properties, and eight shops attached to the building.
“Five private vehicles parked at the premises of the building were smashed by the angry mob, which was embittered over the inferno.
The disaster started at about 9:00 a.m., caused by suspected electrical fault.
In an interview, one of the victims, Michael Nkwegu, revealed that there was power outage in the area, located very close to the office of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC).
He further maintained that when electricity was restored, there was a loud noise from the roof and smoke followed suit, “in a short while, fire engulfed everywhere and we started seeking for way to put it out,” he added.
Nkwegu called on the government and public spirited individuals to come to their aid.
A motorcycle was also burnt by the mob that was unhappy that the fire service officials could not come to the rescue of the victims.
Residents of the area had marched to the fire service office located along Water works road to register their grievance over the attitude of the officials.
But for the quick intervention of policemen, there would have been breakdown of law and order as the protest later turned violent, following a clash between the officials and the protesters.