Bomb explosion destroys Ohanaeze secretariat in Enugu

There is heightened tension in Enugu following a bomb explosion at the national headquarters of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, in the state.A source told LEADERSHIP that the sad development, which occurred at No. 7 Park Avenue, G.R.A Enugu, destroyed parts of the building and some infrastructure.It was further gathered that the explosion caused a fire outbreak but it was swiftly put out, and that the devastation affected parts of the main hall of the Ohanaeze secretariat where major meetings of the body are held.Although no life was lost, close sources reported that the impact of the explosion shook the entire vicinity.Many people have attributed the explosion to the recent leadership crisis which has pitched the Enwo Igariwey-led leadership against the Elders Council of Ohanaeze led by elder statesman, Mbazuluike Amaechi.The group’s executive body is claiming a four-year tenure but the elders’ council has insisted that the exco’s two-year tenure expired on January 7 this year and has thus constituted a caretaker committee led by Chief Ralph Obioha.Chief Obioha, who inspected the Ohanaeze main hall after the blast yesterday, described it as unfortunate.But the public relations officer, Enugu State Police Command, Ebere Amaraizu, said that it was a bomb attack, but an attempt by unknown persons to burn down the Ohanaeze building.He said police detectives were already searching for the perpetrators.