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By Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

Fifty-five out of the 66 suspected warlords arrested on Saturday in Effium community, Ohaukwu local government area of Ebonyi state over the communal crisis in the area have escaped from police detention.

They were arrested by a combined team of Police and Army at Okpuduma village with arms and charms during a raid led by General Officer Commanding, 82 Division of the Nigeria Army, Maj. Gen. Taoreen Lagbaja.

Lagbaja was on an operational visit to the community following persistent killings, shootings and burning of houses in the troubled community.

He was assisted by other top army officers, Commissioner of Police, Aliyu Garba, and his special team, Deputy Governor Dr. Kelechi Igwe, Commissioner for Internal Security and Border Peace, Stanley Okoro Emegha among other government officials

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The suspects were rounded up and security agents recovered some guns and live cartridges, including charms from the scene.

After the arrest of the suspects and recovery of the arms and charms, the GOC and the team proceeded to Nwekendiagu village in the community for same operation.

The suspects were handed over to police by the GOC for movement to police headquarters, Abakaliki for further investigation.

But immediately the team left the community, information filtered in 55 out of the 66 suspects have escaped from the custody.

Commissioner for Internal Security and Border Peace, Stanley Emegha, described their escape as sabotage on the part of security agencies.

He accused the security agents of aiding their escape and threatened the government would be forced to use the state vigilante to end the persistent hostilities in the community.

Commissioner of Police Garba dismissed the claim there was compromise on the part of the police.

He acknowledged the arrested 66 suspects were no longer complete but refused to comment further on their escape.

The people of Effium and Ezza Effium have been at war since February this year with over 100 persons, including pregnant women and babies killed and many properties burnt to ashes by warlords.

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