The intervention by the Air Force Grand Training Commandant in Enugu State, Charles O. Obiabaka, yesterday prevented a gunfight between police and Air Force personnel in Enugu.
It was learned that trouble began when the airmen ordered the police officers guarding an Enugu architect, John Emejulu, who was executing a court judgment along Airport Road to leave.
Emejulu was demolishing structures erected by the Federal Airport Authority when the airmen arrived.
The military men, who allegedly corked their guns threatening to shoot, also ordered Emejulu, his lawyers and journalists out of the place.
The policemen on the instructions of their leader also allegedly corked their guns ready to shoot.
The atmosphere became charged with orders and counter orders from both parties, leaving the civilians in their midst scampering to safety.
It was at the height of the tension that Obiabaka arrived at the scene and resolved the matter.
The military chief said: “The governor called me and said that one man was destroying government and private property and causing anarchy and that I should stop him. I came here expecting to see a mad man but I saw you (Emejulu) a respected man with law behind you and everything.”
Emejulu had told reporters that he was there to execute the judgment of an Enugu High Court.
“I bought this land in 2008. It’s about 400 plots, but a House of Representatives member, Cornelius Nnaji, and Edward Ubochi, Speaker Enugu House of Assembly, felt they could take my land.”
Emejulu said he approached the court when they demolished over 20 buildings he erected on the land claiming that it belongs to the state government.
However, Nnaji, who came to the scene, declined comment on the issue.
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