BY OMOREGIE ELVIS
BENIN – ASSISTANT Inspector General of Police (AIG), Zone 5 Benin Mr.
Abubakar Mohammed has ordered investigations into the setting ablaze
of properties of people who were alleged to be in support of the
establishment of a Sports University in Idumuje-Ugboko, in Aniocha
local government area of Delta State by a former member of the House
of Representatives, Prince Ned Nwoko.
The order is sequel to on the spot assessment of the destruction by
police operatives from Zone 5.
Vanguard learnt that some unknown hoodlums from the community who were
alleged to be against the establishment of the University were said to
have torched the properties belonging to supporters of the institution
destroying houses, cars and other valuables worth millions of Naira.
It was further learnt that the crisis was allegedly triggered off over
the vast hectares of land that was approved by the late traditional
ruler of Idumuje-Ugboko, Obi Albert Nwoko 111 and elders of the
community for the building of the Sports University in the area.
Sources said soon after the demise of Obi Nwoko 111, some vested
interest groups in the area had relocated to the land and started
sowing seeds on discord among youths in the area leading to the
destruction of properties.
The proprietor of the University, Prince Ned Nwoko who is also a
scion of the Idumuje-Ugboko royal family who was in the community to
access the extent of the destruction, commiserated with victims of the
arsonists and accused his cousins of instigating the crisis in their
bid to stop the smooth take off of the university.
Nwoko disclosed that the plots of lands were duly acquired and a
Memorandum of Understanding reached with the late Obi and the
community.
He said, “I am building it for the people of my village, local
government, State and Nigerians. It is only a foolish man that would
not understand whether a university of this nature will be built.
“It is the first of its king in Nigeria and probably in the whole of
West Africa”.