By Sylvia Udegbunam

Residents of Akpawfu town in Nkanu council area of Enugu state have accused the Traditional Ruler of Ajame Ameze, Igwe Christopher Nnamani, of killing and burning their houses.

They alleged that the monarch has labeled them outcasts and used his private armed men to carry out the acts in the communities of Ishiagu Akpawfu and Ajame Ameze,

The community is calling for the intervention of the Enugu state government and security operatives before they are completely wiped out by the traditional ruler.

When contacted, Igwe Nnamani dismissed the allegations, stating that the victims were alleged criminal elements who had been terrorizing the locality and had been traced to their hideout in a forest by soldiers and police.

He claimed to have no knowledge of their deaths or the burning of houses, attributing the actions to soldiers.

“They believe they can blackmail me, but I will not allow it. As a senior citizen of this country, who served the nation for 35 years, I am not an illiterate traditional ruler. I am aware of my rights, and they cannot intimidate or tarnish the reputation I have built over the years,” Igwe Nnamani declared.

However, a concerned citizen who Spoke to DAILY ASSET on the condition of anonymity said, “Igwe Christopher Nnamani is practicing outcast custom in his community, which is the reason why he ordered his private army to kill and burn the houses of those he alleged to be outcasts.”

Two concerned indigenes of the area, Felix Ani and Ikechukwu Udeh, have also expressed concern over the matter, calling on the Enugu state government and the state commissioner of police to call Igwe Christopher Nnamani to order and bring him to book for the heinous crimes committed against innocent people in his community.

“The Igwe gave those he deemed outcasts until December 2022 to vacate his community, after which he began burning their houses,” they said.

Community members corroborating themselves also accused the Igwe of going into a deal with the militia wing of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the Eastern Security Network (ESN), to police the localities, a deal he could not manage well.

“Igwe Christopher Nnamani and his group allegedly organized a private army and took them to Kogi State, where they were fortified with bulletproof charms before returning to the town. They started mounting roadblocks, beating people, and shooting and killing people all over Akpawfu Oyiwode.

“They even ignored the instructions given by the Peace Committee instituted by Nkanu East Council area Chairman in conjunction with (HRH) Igwe Dume Nnamoko, of Obodo Uvuru that asked all to lay down their Arms and embrace peace.

“While the Peace Committee was appealing to all to respect the peace accord, the new Private Army instituted by Igwe Christopher Nnamani and his group were busy killing people of Umuanigbiyovo Oyiwode.

“On Saturday 29th April 2023 his private Army went to Akpugo where one of the Sons of Ezenwanyi, Ugochukwu Onovo took refuge, shoot and killed him.

“His body has been deposited in the Mortuary. Then from that last Saturday Igwe Christopher Nnamani’s Private Army have been going from house to house in Akpawfu, killing innocent old men and youths of Umuanigbiyovo Oyiwode family who didn’t know anything about any problem in Akpawfu Oyiwode.

“The entire Town has been chased away by the illegal Constituted Army of Igwe Christopher Nnamani. Our people have deserted the Communities for fear of Igwe Nnamani and his private Army terrorizing us,” Ani alleged.  

“They have been responsible for the killings, kidnappings of innocent natives, and making life unbearable for our people. However, the Soldiers and Policemen were able to identify and track them down, holding them accountable for their actions. Doubtful of my words? Simply visit the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army in Enugu or the state police Command to receive accurate information on how these criminals were traced to their forest hideout. This matter is currently before the Commissioner of Police, who has invited me to discuss it tomorrow, May 4th, 2023. You are welcome to join and hear from the police firsthand,” he added.