Johnkennedy Uzoma, Owerri
Peace is gradually returning to Assa community in Ohaji/Egbema council area of Imo State after days of disturbances resulting from the killing of two youths of the community by a truck driver.
The traditional ruler of Assa Community HRH, Eze Emmanuel Assor told The Nigerian Xpress that the youths who were angered by the sudden death of their fellow youths have started returning the looted properties belonging to the Lee Establishment Facility in the area.
The Monarch who said that he has seen some of the returned properties, confirmed that there is absolute peace in his domain following his quick intervention and other leaders in the community.
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He said that after he had taken his time to address the youths of his community why they should not take laws into their hands, equally reminded them that neither the Shell Company nor the Lee Company coursed the death of two of their illustrious sons, they saw reasons with him and started calming down.
Describing the way his two subjects Johnmark Rufus and Friday Amadi who were employed as ad-hoc staff of the Lee Engineering Facility were killed by a truck as unfortunate, the Monarch said that he has already visited the two deceased families to console them as well as the company.
While calling on the Company to actively participate in the burial of their two workers and see ways to caution it’s effect, Eze Assor pointed out that discussions are still ongoing on the payment of compensation to the deceased families.
He regretted that the death of his two illustrious sons is a loss to both the entire Assa Community and their immediate families pointing out that one of them has a pregnant wife while the other has aged mother and father.
The traditional ruler who expressed regret over the poor relationship between the Company and his community, called on government in power to intervene to see to the realisation of the low content being put in place in the community.
He said that a situation where strange persons are seen playing active role while the owners of the land are on the sideline in such federal government establishment meant to develop the community is becoming worrisome.
The Monarch expressed optimism that the joint project owned by Shell, NNPC, Lee and other companies when finally completed would improve the lives of the people both in the state and in the community.
It would be recalled that a truck ran into two ad-hoc employed staff of Lee Engineering Facility and killed them.
They two workers were officially sent to collect rope from the company store within the premises but they decided to go outside for reasons best known to them.
On their way back there was serious smoke oozing out from a nearby burning bush and at the same time an up coming truck towards their direction which immediately ran into them and killed them.
This immediately angered the youths of that community to start revolts which degenerated into looting and burning of two trucks including the one that killed the two youths
